4 individuals are useless, together with a baby, after a helicopter crashed right into a radio tower in Houston on Sunday evening, based on authorities.

“This can be a tragic occasion tonight,” Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz stated at a information convention Sunday evening. “A tragic lack of life.”

The personal helicopter, a Robinson R44, crashed right into a radio tower, the Federal Aviation Administration stated in a press release emailed to USA TODAY. 4 individuals have been onboard the craft when it crashed.

The incident occurred simply earlier than 8 p.m., based on a put up by the Houston Hearth Division on X.

All 4 individuals on the helicopter have been killed, Diaz stated. The identities of the victims had not been made public as of Monday morning.

Helicopter crash being investigated

The plane had taken off from Ellington Airport, based on Houston Mayor John Whitmire. The crash occurred about 17 miles northwest close to North Ennis and Engelke streets.

The FAA, Nationwide Transportation Security Board, Houston Police Division, Texas Division of Public Security and Houston Hearth Division are investigating the crash, stated Houston Hearth Chief Thomas Muñoz.

The NTSB will lead the investigation, based on the FAA.

USA TODAY reached out to all of the businesses concerned for extra data.

No different buildings or properties have been broken within the crash, although the mayor reported that some close by properties had misplaced energy. By 9:30 p.m., the hearth brought on by the crash had been put out.

“The residents are safe and protected, however now we have a horrible accident scene,” Whitmire stated.

What we all know to date

• A number of fatalities have been confirmed by Diaz. 4 individuals are useless, together with a minor.
• The crash occurred Sunday at 7:54 p.m.
• The helicopter took off from Ellington Airport. Its deliberate vacation spot is unknown.

MAP: Houston helicopter crash website, KQUE-FM Houston

Chief: Do not contact items of plane

Diaz requested that individuals not contact any items of the plane or shrapnel from the crash and as an alternative name 911 to inform the Hearth or Police Division.

“Tell us the place it’s if you happen to see it locally,” Diaz stated. “Will probably be a big investigation due to the expanse of the accident.”

Giant explosion was a ‘fireball out of the air’

When the crash occurred, Houston Hearth Station 17 “heard a loud explosion,” Whitmire stated on the information convention. “Instantly, 911 was lighting up.”

The explosion was like a “fireball out of the air,” the mayor stated.

Residents within the space are protected, however the helicopter and tower have been destroyed. Regardless of the lack of life, Whitmire stated town was “lucky” the explosion was not worse. Whereas working to place out the hearth, first responders discovered a fuel tank close to the crash website.

In footage taken within the aftermath, authorities are depicted urging onlookers to “get out of the way in which,” citing “a propane tank close by.”

Radio tower lights inoperable days earlier than the crash

The tower’s lights have been reported as inoperable on Oct. 16, based on KHOU 11.