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'Direct hit to multiple homes': Small plane crashes into residential area in San Diego

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A small plane crashed into a residential area in San Diego, US, reportedly striking several houses in what officials described as a "direct hit to multiple homes," according to news agency AP.

Reports revealed that it was a Cessna 550 aircraft that crashed in the residential area early Thursday, setting around 15 homes on fire and prompting evacuations across several blocks, according to the officials.

On the residential street, a house's roof had collapsed and turned black, with metallic debris strewn across the pavement. Several completely burnt vehicles remained on the road, alongside scattered tree branches, shattered glass and metallic fragments. Thick black smoke continued to rise from the still-burning location.

Resident Christopher Moore, who lives nearby, recounted how he and his wife woke up to a thunderous noise and noticed smoke from their window. They immediately evacuated with their young children. As they departed the area, they witnessed a vehicle consumed by fire. "It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you've just got to drop your head and get to safety," he said.


Law enforcement officers rescued three husky puppies from a residence, transporting them away in a wagon. Nearby, several families, including Moore's, waited in their nightwear at a car park, awaiting permission to return home.

The neighbourhood houses numerous military personnel, comprising detached houses and terraced homes. The area experiences significant small aircraft traffic due to its proximity to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport and Gillespie Field.
"We have jet fuel all over the place," Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy said during a news conference. "Our main goal is to search all these homes and get everybody out right now."

He confirmed that "there is a direct hit to multiple homes" in the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood. Also, according to Eddy, visibility was severely limited when the private aircraft went down. "You could barely see in front of you," he said.

Eddy described the extremely poor visibility during the private aircraft incident. "You could barely see in front of you," he said.
The Cessna 550 aircraft crashed at about 3:45 a.m. near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

"The number of people on board is unknown at this time," the FAA said in a statement.

The aircraft has capacity for six to eight passengers.

The FAA indicated that the National Transportation Safety Board would conduct the investigation.

Officials have not confirmed any casualties at this stage.
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