“The main goal moving forward is to ensure all those houses are cleared and no one is inside.” — Dan Eddy, Assistant Fire Chief
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A small private jet crashed into a San Diego neighborhood early Thursday, igniting fires in approximately 15 homes and multiple vehicles.
The Cessna 550 Citation II went down around 3:45 a.m. near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport amid dense fog, authorities said.
“There are multiple cars engulfed, we have jet fuel all over the place,” said San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy. “We have hazmat on scene, and we asked for more resources.”
The crash occurred in the Murphy Canyon military housing area. Eddy described “a direct hit to multiple homes” and “a gigantic debris field.”
Evacuations were underway as emergency crews worked to clear affected homes and search the crash site. The number of people onboard remains unknown, according to the FAA.
“It was definitely horrifying for sure,” said resident Christopher Moore, who fled with his family after hearing a loud boom and seeing flames.
The NTSB will lead the investigation, while police urged the public to report debris or the smell of fuel.