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US Navy F-18 crashes in residential Virginia US Navy F-18 crashes in residential Virginia
(about 1 hour later)
A US Navy F-18 jet has crashed shortly after take off in a residential area near Virginia Beach, Virginia.A US Navy F-18 jet has crashed shortly after take off in a residential area near Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A Navy spokesman told the BBC that the plane went down just before 12:08 (16:08 GMT) and two crew members ejected safely.A Navy spokesman told the BBC that the plane went down just before 12:08 (16:08 GMT) and two crew members ejected safely.
The plane hit an apartment building, with photos showing black smoke rising from behind houses. The plane hit an apartment building, with photos showing flames and black smoke rising from behind houses.
There were no immediate reports of serious casualties and the cause of the crash is not yet known. Both pilots and three other people are being treated for injuries, but there were no reports of fatalities.
The Virginia Beach hospital confirmed it was also treating a sixth person, but they could not say whether it was a pilot or a civilian.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
Pentagon spokesman George Little used Twitter to say Defence Secretary Leon Panetta was being kept informed: "#SecDef is closely monitoring F-18 crash in Virginia Beach; concerned about potential loss of life and injuries."Pentagon spokesman George Little used Twitter to say Defence Secretary Leon Panetta was being kept informed: "#SecDef is closely monitoring F-18 crash in Virginia Beach; concerned about potential loss of life and injuries."
'Burst into flames''Burst into flames'
The plane was based at the naval air station at Oceana, Virginia where it was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, the Navy said.The plane was based at the naval air station at Oceana, Virginia where it was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106, the Navy said.
The pilots have sustained non-life threatening injuries and have been taken to a hospital, the Virginia Beach Fire and Rescue said. The fire was under control, they added. Local residents quickly began distributing pictures of burning buildings through social media websites, but officials said the blaze was brought under control.
One reporter at the scene href="https://twitter.com/#!/RachelDePompa/status/188326482047803393" >tweeted that a Virginia Beach Hospital confirmed it was treating five civilians and both pilots for injuries. A significant amount of damage has been done to at least one apartment building located near the centre of town, with reports of damage to other buildings in the area,
Local news station WTKR reports that a significant amount of damage has been done to an apartment building located near the centre of town.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said: "We are taking all possible steps at the state level to provide immediate resources and assistance to those impacted by the crash. Our fervent prayer is that no-one was injured or killed in this accident."Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said: "We are taking all possible steps at the state level to provide immediate resources and assistance to those impacted by the crash. Our fervent prayer is that no-one was injured or killed in this accident."
Witnesses have told local media that just before the crash they saw the plane empty its fuel tank. Witnesses told local media that just before the crash they saw the plane empty its fuel tank.
One witness, Jon Swain, told US news station MSNBC: "There were flames coming out of its engine at the back, which I just thought was afterburn or whatever... but the plane got lower and lower.One witness, Jon Swain, told US news station MSNBC: "There were flames coming out of its engine at the back, which I just thought was afterburn or whatever... but the plane got lower and lower.
"I saw one pilot eject. I understand there were two, but I only saw one. And then you know, probably five seconds later, I was at the building where it hit. It burst into flames.""I saw one pilot eject. I understand there were two, but I only saw one. And then you know, probably five seconds later, I was at the building where it hit. It burst into flames."
Pat Kavanaugh told CNN he found one of the ejected pilots in the wreckage.
The pilot was still strapped in his seat with a parachute attached and Mr Kavanuagh and others moved the pilot away from the flames.
He said the pilot told him, "I'm so sorry I crashed into your building."
A nearby highway, Interstate 264, has been closed in both directions, local officials said.A nearby highway, Interstate 264, has been closed in both directions, local officials said.
Virginia Beach is a resort city located on the southern coastline of the mid-Atlantic state of Virginia.
The city is home to about 438,000 people and several US military bases.