Two people have died after a small plane crashed into a home in Akron, triggering a massive fire and sending shock through the neighborhood.
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Officials say a family was inside the house when the aircraft slammed into the property on Thursday afternoon.
The home quickly erupted into flames following the plane crash.
Plane Crash Leaves Two Dead After Aircraft Slams Into Home
Reports state that a Piper PA-28 carrying two people crashed into the residence at around 3:45 PM.
Authorities said the plane departed from Akron Fulton Airport earlier in the day.
Both people onboard the aircraft died in the crash, though officials have not yet publicly identified them.
According to the Akron Fire Department, a family of four remained inside the home when the property suddenly caught fire.
District Chief Sierjie Lash told News5Cleveland that nobody on the ground suffered injuries.
Lash said the family, made up of a couple and their two children, managed to escape safely.
"There were a couple and two children that live there," he said. "They were all four home, and they were able to get out with no injuries, so we're very fortunate that they are safe."
Witnesses Describe Explosion as Investigators Examine Crash
Lash said emergency crews responded to reports of heavy black smoke pouring from the area before firefighters brought the blaze under control to stop it spreading to nearby homes.
Authorities also evacuated two neighboring houses following the impact.
"Definitely smoke, fire, flames and explosion," Lash added. "Our fire crews came out, and they put the fire out as a house fire, and they're currently investigating."
"We put out a fire. We have to make sure the aftermath of that fire, anything that may still be smoldering, we'll keep taking a look at that."
American Red Cross of Northern Ohio confirmed it is assisting the displaced family.
Neighbor Christi Gould told News5Cleveland that the couple's children had been sleeping upstairs when the crash happened and that the father rushed inside to get everyone out safely.
Reports indicate the aircraft departed Akron Fulton Airport at 2:03 PM and then flew south. It eventually circled back toward the airport.
At around 3:30 PM, the pilot reportedly radioed air traffic control saying that they were preparing to land roughly two miles north of the runway.
The pilot later canceled the approach, reportedly saying, "88 whisky going around."
A second landing attempt followed at around 3:43 PM before radio communication suddenly stopped.
Officials say no mayday calls or emergency alerts were issued before the crash.
