A small plane crashed into a commercial building and started a fire in Southern California on Thursday, killing two people and injuring 18.
The flight-tracking website FlightAware shows a four-seat, single-engine aircraft crashed about a minute after takeoff, but it is unknown what type of plane it was or whether those injured were in the aircraft or on the ground, according to a Fullerton, California, police spokesperson.
Police received a report about the crash at around 2:09 p.m. local time, and firefighters fought the fire that erupted after the plane struck the building’s roof. The fire damaged the warehouse, which appeared to contain sewing machines and textile stock. The building was used by Michael Nicholas Designs, a furniture upholstery manufacturer, according to a sign on a door.
Ten people were hospitalized, and eight were treated at the scene and released. The police spokeswoman, Kristy Wells, said there were two confirmed deaths.
Security camera footage shows the plane hitting the building and exploding. The crash happened after the aircraft took off from Fullerton Municipal Airport, a small airport with two runways and a helipad. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
Audio from air traffic control reviewed by the Los Angeles Times revealed a pilot said he was going to land on runway 6 before the controller cleared the runway and also told him 24 was available. The pilot changed his mind, saying he was going to land on runway 24 before panic could be heard less than a minute later. Someone uttered an “Oh my God” before the pilot’s audio went silent.
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Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung thanked first responders for their help in a statement he issued on behalf of the Fullerton City Council.
“As we come together in the wake of this tragedy, the City of Fullerton is committed to providing support for all those affected and working with the agencies involved to uncover the details of this incident,” Jung stated. “We are grateful for the strength of our community and the compassion we show one another in times of crisis. Together, we will move forward with resolve, care, and unity.”
