UK: No survivors found after plane crash

The fire brigade said no survivors were found after a private jet carrying five people smashed into a small cul-de-sac and erupted into a “ball of fire” today.

The aircraft, described as a Cessna, plummeted with a “roar” at Broadwater Gardens, Farnborough, Kent, damaging two houses after putting out a mayday call.

Jim Bascan, speaking at the scene on behalf of the fire brigade, said: “No survivors were found but I can confirm that there were no people found in the houses.”

Locals described what appeared to be a heroic bid by the pilot of the plane to avoid the closely-packed houses, before clipping a building.

Neighbours said the occupants of a house which was gutted by the fire were on holiday – and described it as a “miracle” that no one on the ground was badly injured.

A police spokesman told reporters at the scene that work would begin from tomorrow to remove dead bodies and make sure that “everything’s OK with the scene”.

He continued: “Until that time there’s not much more I can say until we have contacted next of kin.”