'Multiple people dead' after small plane crashes into San Diego neighbourhood

"Multiple people" on board a small private plane that crashed into a San Diego military housing neighbourhood during foggy conditions have died, authorities have said.

Assistant fire department chief Dan Eddy told reporters that authorities will be investigating whether the aircraft 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.

Mr Eddy said no one on the ground was injured in Thursday's incident, which happened around 3.45am local time (11.45am UK time) near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

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."

The California crash occurred in the US military's largest housing neighbourhood.

The plane appeared to strike at least one home, with around 10 houses and multiple vehicles damaged in the incident.

No one required hospital treatment, but homes and buildings in the surrounding area were evacuated as emergency crews responded.

"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," San Diego police chief Scott Wahl said.

The police chief said more than 50 officers were on the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised.

At least 100 residents were evacuated to nearby Miller Elementary School.

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 woken 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 car park a few streets away.

Many military service members live in the neighbourhood. It is also 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.

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

A flight tracking site listed it as a Cessna Citation II jet that was scheduled to arrive at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego from Colonel James Jabara Airport in Wichita, Kansas.

Officials at the airport said it just made a fuelling stop in Wichita. The flight originated on Wednesday night in Teterboro, New Jersey, according to FlightAware.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 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."

(c) Sky News 2025: 'Multiple people dead' after small plane crashes into San Diego neighbourhood