On Thursday (January 2), police reported that a small plane crashed and went through the roof of a commercial building in Orange County city of Fullerton, Southern California, resulting in 2 fatalities and 18 injuries.
According to police spokesman Kristy Wells, authorities received a call at 2:09 pm reporting a small plane crash in Fullerton.
Wells mentioned that firefighters and police arrived at the scene, extinguished a large fire, and evacuated surrounding businesses.
The fire destroyed a warehouse that appeared to store sewing machines and textiles. The building was identified as belonging to the home decor manufacturing company, Michael Nicholas Designs.
Wells stated that 10 people were taken to the hospital, with 8 already discharged after receiving on-site treatment. 2 individuals have been confirmed dead.
It is currently unclear what type of aircraft was involved in the crash and whether the injured individuals were passengers on the plane or individuals inside the commercial building.
Flight tracking website FlightAware showed that a four-seater single-engine plane crashed about a minute after takeoff.
Surveillance footage from a nearby wheel manufacturer, Rucci Forge, captured the moment the plane hit the building, causing a violent explosion and billowing smoke.
The crash site is located near Fullerton Municipal Airport, a general aviation airport in Orange County, approximately 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Disneyland. The airport features a runway and a helicopter pad, with local Metrolink train tracks nearby surrounded by residential and commercial warehouses.
According to the Orange County Register, in November of last year, another four-seater plane made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff and collided with a tree half a mile from the airport. At that time, the two occupants only sustained minor injuries.
Fullerton is located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles and has a population of approximately 140,000.
(*This article referenced relevant reports from The Associated Press)