‘Multiple people dead’ after small plane crashes into San Diego neighbourhood | US News

“Multiple people” on board a small private plane that crashed into a San Diego neighbourhood are dead, authorities have said.

Assistant fire department chief Dan Eddy told reporters authorities will be investigating whether the plane hit a power line.

The city’s police and fire officials said the plane could hold eight to 10 people, but are yet to confirm how many were on board.

No one on the ground was injured in the incident on Thursday, Mr Eddy said.

The fire chief added: “When it hit the street, as the jet fuel went down it took out every single car that was on both sides of the street.

“You can see that every single car was burning down both sides of the street.”

About 15 homes caught fire as well as vehicles, with residents across several blocks evacuated.

Describing the scene “like something from a movie”, Mr Eddy earlier told reporters it was foggy at the time of the crash.

He said: “You could barely see in front of you.”

Christopher Moore, who lives one street over from the crash site, said he and his wife were awakened by a loud bang and saw smoke when they peered out the window.

As they fled the neighbourhood with their two young children, they spotted a car engulfed in flames.

Mr Moore said: “It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety.”

Police rescued three husky puppies from one of the homes, while evacuated families were spotted standing in their pyjamas in a parking lot a few blocks away.

Many military service members live in the neighbourhood, which is made up of single family homes and townhomes. It also is heavily populated by small civilian and military aircraft.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and Gillespie Field are nearby.

San Diego Police Department (SDPD) earlier confirmed emergency crews were responding to the crash in the neighbourhood of Tierrasanta.

Posting on X, a SDPS spokesperson warned people to avoid the area and urged all those who smell jet fuel or find debris to alert the authorities.

Evacuations took place in Salmon Street, Sample Street and Sculpin Street. Santo Road southbound was also closed at Aero Drive.

An evacuation site has been set up at Miller Elementary School.

The authorities are yet to release details about the plane, but said it was a flight coming in from the Midwest.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the Cessna 550 crashed near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

In a statement, the agency said: “The number of people on board is unknown at this time.

“The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NSTB will lead the investigation and provide any updates.”