A small Cessna 550 jet crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood of San Diego early Thursday morning, causing devastation across a densely populated residential area. The aircraft, which originated from the Midwest, went down around 3:45 a.m. as it attempted to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, located just across a highway from the crash site. According to officials, the plane struck approximately 15 homes, igniting several houses and vehicles, and scattering debris and jet fuel throughout the area.

Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy described the aftermath as resembling a scene from a movie, with thick black smoke rising and a massive debris field stretching across the neighborhood. Residents reported being jolted awake by a thunderous noise, followed by the sight of flames and smoke outside their windows. Many families, including those with small children, evacuated their homes in haste, while emergency crews worked to ensure everyone was safe and to contain the fires.

Authorities confirmed that multiple fatalities occurred, but all were among the plane’s occupants, with no serious injuries reported among local residents. The Cessna 550 jet typically carries between six and ten people, though the exact number on board at the time of the crash remains unknown. The identities of the victims have not been released, and officials emphasized the need for careful search operations to verify that no one remained inside the damaged homes.

Evacuations were ordered for several blocks due to the risk of fire and hazardous jet fuel spills, with around 100 people displaced from their homes. Hazmat teams and additional emergency resources were deployed to manage the situation, while the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board launched investigations into the cause of the crash. The incident follows a history of small aircraft accidents in the San Diego area, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.