A small plane crashed in a Simi Valley neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, causing the death of two people and a dog on board the aircraft and damaging two houses, authorities reported.
Firefighting teams responded to the incident, and the police cordoned off the streets, warning people to stay away from the area. Smoke could be seen coming from the roof of a house in the Wood Ranch section of the community, located nearly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
The wreckage of the aircraft could be seen between the two houses. The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed that there were residents inside at the time, but they evacuated without reporting injuries. Both houses suffered structural damage and were affected by the fire, authorities indicated.
Approximately 40 firefighters were on-site. Once the flames were extinguished, they began recovery efforts.
Initially, authorities reported one fatality. Later on Saturday, the Simi Valley Police Department stated that the pilot, a passenger, and a dog on the plane died.
As of Sunday, authorities had not disclosed information about the occupants of the single-engine Van's RV-10 small plane, a popular homebuilt aircraft kit. They also did not mention what could have caused the accident.
A National Transportation Safety Board investigator was also at the scene on Saturday. The agency's spokesperson, Peter Knudson, mentioned that once the aircraft wreckage is documented, it will be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation.
Investigators will also review the aircraft's maintenance records, weather forecasts, recordings of any communication with air traffic control, witness statements, the pilot's history, and any surveillance video that may have captured the aircraft.