Plane crashes, burns near Crystal Airport neighborhood

A small plane crashed and burned near homes beside Crystal Airport Tuesday, prompting fire crews, police and neighbors to rush to the scene and forcing nearby road closures.

Witnesses reported smoke and flames as emergency responders worked to extinguish the blaze. Officials did not immediately confirm any injuries or fatalities.

The episode traces back to a flight operating in the area around Crystal Municipal Airport, which mainly serves private pilots and flight training in the Twin Cities suburbs. Federal investigators routinely examine small-plane crashes to determine causes and safety lessons.

Local authorities asked people to avoid the area while crews continued their work and said more details will be released as investigators inspect the wreckage.