Plane crashes into homes near San Diego airport, killing several

Several people were killed early Thursday morning when a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood in San Diego, California, setting off explosions, destroying homes, and torching vehicles.

The Cessna 550 aircraft, which had taken off from Kansas and was approaching Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, slammed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood around 3:45 am, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The area is largely occupied by military families and lies near several US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard facilities.

San Diego Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said, "There are more than one fatality that we found so far, but we're waiting to get the registered numbers that were on the plane itself."

The crash sparked fires on both sides of the street, with at least ten houses damaged by the impact or debris.

"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. We have jet fuel all over the place," Eddy said.

Despite the destruction, Eddy noted that no one on the ground had been killed or seriously injured. “Miraculously” is how he described the outcome for residents.

One man told local Fox reporters that he had to run from his home. “I looked out the window and there were just flames everywhere,” he said. "Then we heard the chain reaction of boom, boom, boom. And I'm like: 'Whoa'."

Footage from the scene showed lines of burning fuel snaking across the street, connecting charred vehicles. Daylight revealed the full extent of the damage, with roofs caved in, trees burned, and the stench of fuel still hanging in the air.

The crash occurred in thick fog, which may have contributed to the accident. The plane can carry up to eight people, and officials are still confirming how many were on board at the time.

Zane Baker, a high school student who lives nearby, said police moved quickly to evacuate residents.

"I immediately just rushed to the front door, just looking outside, seeing what's happening," he said.

"I made sure all my siblings were awake and they were conscious and they were okay."

Baker, who described himself as a "Navy rat," said many families had been forced out of their homes.

"The entirety of our parking lots and other areas are completely filled. A lot of the entryways are blocked. People can't get in or out. It's a confusing mess," said Baker.

The crash adds to growing concerns over air safety in the US, following several recent incidents, including a fatal crash northwest of Los Angeles earlier this month and a mid-air collision over Washington in January.