Three killed in Oregon after small plane crashes into townhouses

Authorities initially said two people aboard the aircraft were missing, plus one resident of the homes that caught fire. On Sunday, the Gresham Fire Department confirmed all three were killed.

The identities of the victims have not been released. An unspecified number of people were also injured, authorities said.

Videos of the crash show a fiery blaze and smoke plumes rising from a row of homes. Fire Chief Lewis told reporters that the fire had spread to at least four houses and at least five families had been displaced.

Donni Calvert, a witness, told local ABC affiliate KATU TV that he heard the plane descending. “Then the next thing I know there are explosions,” Mr Calvert said.

A separate brush fire ignited from collapsed power poles nearby, authorities said, but it did not spread far. The damage also caused a brief power outage in the area.