Several people are dead after a small aircraft crashed in a neighborhood in San Diego, California, early on Thursday morning, the San Diego police department confirmed, clipping one home and damaging several vehicles.
The crash killed the plane’s passengers, Dan Eddy, the assistant San Diego fire chief, said at a Thursday morning news conference. The aircraft could hold eight to 10 people but it is unknown how many were on board. No one on the ground in the military housing neighborhood was injured.
The incident was reported in the Murphy Canyon community, near the Montgomery-Gibbs executive airport, around 3.47am local time. The plane reportedly struck at least one home, charring the structure and causing the roof to collapse, and damaged several vehicles. Authorities said the crash damaged about 10 homes, and left jet fuel throughout the area.
Media reported the area was still covered in glass and an extensive debris field on Thursday morning as a thick black smoke lingered.
“I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see,” said Scott Wahl, the San Diego police chief.
Christopher Moore, who lives near the crash site, told the Associated Press that a loud bang woke him and his wife and that when they looked out their window they saw smoke.
The couple grabbed their two young children and ran out of the house, seeing a car in flames as they fled the neighborhood.
At least 100 residents of the neighborhood evacuated. Meanwhile, authorities closed nearby roads, diverting drivers on northbound Interstate 15.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported a Cessna 550 aircraft crashed at about 3.45am local time near the Montgomery-Gibbs executive airport, with an unknown number of people on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Officials said they will investigate whether the plane may have hit a power line.
Associated Press contributed reporting
