Deadly Plane Crash Hits California Neighborhood

Several people were killed when a small plane crashed in a California neighborhood before dawn Thursday, destroying a home and setting more than a dozen cars on fire.

At least 10 houses were hit by debris and vehicles on both sides of a street went up in flames when the Cessna 550 slammed into the ground, spewing burning jet fuel in a part of San Diego that is home to military families.

San Diego Fire Department Assistant Chief Dan Eddy told reporters one house had been badly damaged, but that no one on the ground had been seriously hurt.

"When the aircraft struck the road, the spreading jet fuel ignited and destroyed all the vehicles on either side of the street," he explained.

The plane had six people aboard, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

One deceased individual has been identified as Dave Shapiro, a music agent and founder of the San Diego-based Sound Talent Group (STG).

The firm stated that two additional employees who were on the aircraft likewise perished.

"STG’s spokesperson conveyed their deep sorrow over the passing of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends," they shared with U.S. media outlets.

The San Diego Police Department said Thursday afternoon that at least two people had died, but first responders at the scene said the plane had been totally destroyed and they expected the toll to rise.

'Engulfed in flames'

Yasmine Sierra told AFP how she had helped her neighbors escape their burning house in the middle of the night after being awakened by what she initially thought was an earthquake.

"It appeared as though all the houses were ablaze due to the visible smoke and flames; even the trees seemed to be burning down," she stated.

Moments later she heard screams from her neighbors who were trapped in their back garden.

"Me and my son grabbed the ladder, we jumped on our trampoline, and we tried to bounce as much as we possibly could, to throw that ladder over so that they can climb onto the ladder into our backyard," said Sierra, 35.

A lady, along with two kids and two tiny dogs, ascended to safety using a ladder.

When she arrived, she seemed deeply upset. I took her to the front of the house and explained to her that we had to depart.

Jeremy Serna, aged 31 and serving in the Navy, mentioned that both he and his spouse were awakened by a loud explosion.

"I peered outside, and the sky had turned orange. Then I rushed out to investigate, only to find everything ablaze around me," he recounted. AFP .

I noticed the house at the street corner was completely enveloped in fire. I returned and informed my spouse that we needed to leave immediately.

Thick fog

On Thursday, investigators meticulously examined the area, carefully sorting through the fragmented remains of the aircraft, which seemed to have shattered into numerous pieces.

Pieces of fiberglass were dispersed amongst the mangled and blackened wreckage of vehicles, with the acrid scent of gasoline permeating the atmosphere.

The incident occurred amidst dense fog as the aircraft, having traveled through Kansas, approached the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

Initially, the details were unclear, but Fire Department spokesperson Eddy mentioned that a power line closeby seemed to have been hit.

Around 3:45 a.m. (1045 GMT), as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood.

The residential zone primarily consists of military quarters. San Diego hosts various U.S. Navy installations, Marine Corps bases, and Coast Guard facilities.

The incident occurred during a period of increased strain in American airspace.

There have been at least two air traffic control disruptions at the bustling Newark airport on the East Coast recently. Additionally, in January, a mid-air collision occurred near Washington involving a passenger plane and a military helicopter.

This month two people died when their small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood northwest of Los Angeles.