Callum Jones
Two people onboard the small plane that crashed into a San Diego neighbourhood on Thursday (May 22) have been identified.
The plane, which is said to have six onboard, plummeted into Murphy Canyon, San Diego, on Thursday morning causing evacuations along several streets.
“We have jet fuel all over the place,” assistant Fire Department chief Dan Eddy said during a news conference. “Our main goal is to search all these homes and get everybody out right now.”
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He added that 'there is a direct hit to multiple homes' in the area and described 'a gigantic debris field' in a densely populated neighbourhood.
Talent music agent Dave Shapiro, believed to be the owner of the Cessna 550, was on board the plane and sadly died as a result of the crash.
Shapiro was the co-founder of Sound Talent Group, whose clients include the likes of Sum 41 and Story of the Year.
A spokesman for Sound Talent Group told the BBC: "We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends.
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"Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time."
The company went on to tell the BBC it lost 'three employees in the plane crash' including Shapiro - though they did not identify the others.
The talent agent was also a keen pilot and a certified flight instructor who had notched up over 15 years of experience, according to Velocity Aviation, his aviation company.
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"From BASE jumping to aerobatic flying, Helicopters to twin engines, flight instructing to furthering his own education, doesn’t matter to Dave as long as he gets to be in the sky," an expert from the aviation company's site reads.
Drummer Daniel Williams, a former member of the Ohio-based metal band The Devil Wears Prada, was also on the plane that crashed in San Diego.
William's former The Devil Wears Prada bandmates paid tribute to the artist and Shapiro in a social media post, saying: "No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever."
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Reports state that numerous homes were ablaze, alongside half a dozen vehicles following the devastating crash on Thursday.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed eight residents were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and non-life-threatening injuries.
Recalling the horrid scene, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said: "I can’t quite put words to describe what the scene looks like, but with the jet fuel going down the street, and everything on fire all at once.
"It was pretty horrific to see."
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The police chief went on to explain how it was a 'bit of a miracle' that there were no fatalities on the ground.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.