Morning Horror in San Diego: Plane Crashes into Residential Area

 

Imagine waking up to the sound of a thunderous crash, not far from your home, only to peer outside and see a residential street engulfed in a massive fireball. That's the terrifying reality that unfolded for residents of San Diego, California, in the early hours of Thursday, May 22, 2025, when a plane crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood.

Pictures flooding social media immediately after the incident show the sheer devastation, a colossal fire blazing amidst homes, a scene more akin to a war zone than a quiet suburban street. The crash occurred shortly before 4 AM local time, under conditions described by Chief Dan Eddy of the San Diego Fire Department as "very dense fog," where visibility was so poor you could "barely see in front of you."

The San Diego Police Department quickly issued an alert via Instagram, urging the public to avoid the area of Sculpin Street and Santo Road to allow emergency crews to work. Chief Eddy confirmed that at least 15 homes were damaged by the impact, and when firefighters arrived, "multiple cars" were already ablaze, doused in jet fuel that had spread across a wide area.

While all fires have now been extinguished, the priority remains ensuring the safety of all residents. Firefighters are meticulously searching homes across four blocks to confirm complete evacuations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified the downed aircraft as a Cessna 550, a plane capable of carrying up to eight people. It crashed near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The number of people on board remains unknown at this time, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the full investigation into this harrowing incident.

Our thoughts are with the affected residents and emergency responders in San Diego. This serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.