No injuries in crash of military jet into homes in Imperial County
A Marine jet crashed into homes in the city of Imperial in Imperial County but there were no casualties, the city’s fire chief said Wednesday evening.
Two homes caught fire but everyone in the homes escaped, said Chief Tony Rouhotas.
The AV-8B Harrier jet from the Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma, Ariz., crashed about 4:20 p.m., according to a spokesman for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego.
The pilot ejected safely but has been taken to a hospital for observation.
Chelcey Adami, reporter for the Imperial Valley Press, said that residents told her that the crash sounded and felt like an earthquake.
Neighbors rushed to one home and made sure everyone escaped, Adami said. Some people in the home were stunned at the crash and were unsure what had happened.
Paramedics were on scene but no one appeared to need treatment, Adami said. Eight homes were evacuated, with three considered a total loss, Marines said.
Imperial is a community (population 15,000) between El Centro and Brawley.
Marines said the cause of the crash is under investigation. The Harrier jet is capable of a vertical takeoff and landing.
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