Three people have died after a small plane crashed into a row of townhouses in Fairview, Oregon, igniting multiple fires and displacing several families, BBC reports.
The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. PST on Saturday, just 11 miles east of Portland, near Troutdale Airport.
The aircraft, a twin-engine Cessna, was carrying two people when it crashed. Both were killed, as was a resident of one of the townhouses that the plane struck. The victims’ identities have not yet been released.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported that the plane collided with a power pole or tower during its descent, causing it to crash and contribute to the subsequent fire. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and were able to contain the fire, but not before it spread to at least four homes, displacing five families. Several other people were injured, but the exact number and severity have not been disclosed.
Witnesses described hearing the plane descend rapidly before hearing explosions as it struck the homes. Donni Calvert, a local resident, told KATU TV, “Then the next thing I know, there are explosions.”
The crash also started a small brush fire due to fallen power poles, but authorities were able to keep it from spreading. In addition, the crash caused a brief power outage in the area.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident to determine what caused the crash. The investigation is ongoing, with more information expected to be released in the coming days.
