Three dead after small plane crashes into US neighbourhood

Three people have died after a small plane crashed into a US neighbourhood.

Music agency Sound Talent Group said on Thursday that three of its employees, including its co-founder Dave Shapiro, died after being aboard the private plane that crashed into a San Diego neighbourhood. The total number of deaths remains unknown, but six people were on the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The agency didn't name the other two employees after the jet crashed early on Thursday into a neighbourhood of US Navy-owned housing during foggy weather. Mr Shapiro was listed as the owner of the plane and had a pilot's licence, according to the FAA.

"We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy," the agency said in a statement.

Several people were injured while trying to flee the crash just before 4am local time (midnight in the UK) in Murphy Canyon and others were treated for smoke inhalation. Assistant fire department chief Dan Eddy told reporters that authorities will be investigating whether the aircraft hit a power line.

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.