A fiery plane crash in a military family neighborhood has left a scene of destruction that first responders describe as something “from a movie.”
See the video below.
The Cessna 550 aircraft plummeted into the Murphy Canyon area in San Diego early morning during foggy conditions.
This spread jet fuel across residential streets and ignited fires that affected approximately 15 homes and vehicles.
Authorities are rushing to determine casualties while evacuated families wait anxiously for news about their homes and neighbors.
The crash occurred near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, which military families primarily populate.
Assistant Fire Department Chief Dan Eddy described hazardous conditions as emergency personnel arrived at the chaotic scene, with limited visibility hampering initial rescue efforts.
“You could barely see in front of you,” Eddy reported, highlighting the dangerous conditions first responders faced. “We have jet fuel all over the place.”
Local residents were jolted awake by what many described as a “loud boom,” followed by the sight of thick smoke and flames engulfing parts of their neighborhood.
Hazmat teams quickly mobilized to handle the jet fuel spill, which posed additional dangers beyond the initial crash impact.
The aircraft involved in the crash can typically carry six to eight passengers, but authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were aboard at the time of the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the accident time in a statement, noting that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.
Emergency responders worked diligently to extinguish fires ignited by the spilled jet fuel while simultaneously searching affected homes. The
San Diego Police Department advised residents to avoid the area and announced the closure of two local elementary schools as a precautionary measure.
Assistant Fire Chief Eddy surveyed the damage firsthand, reporting: “I just walked it myself, and down the street itself, it looks like something from a movie. There is a direct hit to multiple homes.”
A temporary evacuation center for displaced residents has been established at Miller Elementary School.
Another resident told reporters he heard a loud boom and smelled burning, but did not immediately see plane wreckage in the aftermath.
Video footage from the scene shows extensive damage, including at least one vehicle completely engulfed in flames.
The early morning timing of the crash meant many families were asleep in their homes when disaster struck, making the emergency response particularly urgent.
While the investigation into the cause of the crash is just beginning, weather conditions at the time will certainly be examined as a potential factor.
Updates will continue to flow as investigators work diligently to piece together what led to this jaw-dropping disaster.
In these moments of uncertainty, the focus remains on resilience and community unity, ensuring safety for all affected.
