Plane crash in Philadelphia sparks devastating fires
In Philadelphia, a small plane crashed into buildings in the northeastern part of the city, setting fire to several houses and cars, CBS News reports. Six people were on board the aircraft, and there are reports of casualties.
The plane, a Learjet 55 belonging to an air ambulance service, crashed at around 7:30 PM Eastern Time near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue. It had taken off from the nearby Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was headed to Springfield, Missouri.
The first footage from the scene has appeared online. It shows the plane falling at high speed and flames engulfing houses and cars.
Local media report that "there are many casualties." Many people on the ground are reported to be injured, though the exact number is not yet known. A large shopping center is also located in the vicinity.
According to witness accounts quoted by Fox 29 Philadelphia, explosions were heard at the scene after the plane went down. An employee of a local business recounted seeing "a huge explosion of light that came out of nowhere."
Another plane crash in the USA
The aviation disaster in Philadelphia occurred while the world was still reeling from a tragedy that took place just two days earlier in Washington.
A passenger plane flying from Kansas collided with a military helicopter conducting a training flight just in front of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
On board the American Airlines flight were 60 passengers and four crew members. In the helicopter were three soldiers. All died.
