A tragic incident unfolded in Troutdale, Oregon, as a small twin-engine Cessna 421C plane crashed into a residential area near the Troutdale Airport on Saturday morning. The devastating crash resulted in the plane striking a power pole before colliding into a row of townhomes, setting multiple units ablaze.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. in Fairview. Disturbing video footage captured by witnesses at the scene showed a row of townhomes engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across the area and billowing smoke emanating from the upper story of one house.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, John Plock, described a "somewhat large" debris field found at the crash site. The impact caused some pieces of the aircraft to break off, resulting in two main crash areas. The collision with the power pole toppled it, triggering a small brush fire when the power lines landed in a nearby field. Fortunately, the fire did not spread far, but it did cause a power outage affecting around 9,000 customers in the Fairview area, as confirmed by Portland General Electric.

Gresham Fire Chief Scott Lewis stated that the authorities were alerted to the incident by staff at the Troutdale Airport control tower, who reported seeing a column of smoke west of the airport. Fire crews encountered intense flames upon arrival, primarily affecting two townhome units initially, but the fire quickly spread, impacting a total of four units.

Due to the high temperatures on Saturday, firefighters had to take frequent breaks to avoid overheating, leading the incident to escalate to a five-alarm fire. Responding to the emergency were personnel from Portland Fire & Rescue, Vancouver Fire Department, and Gresham Fire Department, working tirelessly to contain the blaze.

Chief Lewis noted that the crash caused structural damage to the affected building, making it unsafe for firefighters to enter and necessitating a focus on exterior operations with water delivered from a ladder truck. While it remains uncertain if fuel from the plane contributed to the fire, early reports suggested that the size of the smoke column indicated it was a possibility.

Tragically, five families have been displaced as a result of the incident, with the potential for a sixth family depending on the condition of their townhome. The Trauma Intervention Program has stepped in to provide support and assistance to those affected by the displacement.

Public Information Officer Plock confirmed the presence of injuries, but the severity and number of casualties remain unknown at this time. Fire Chief Lewis stated that there were initial reports of two occupants on the plane, while one townhome occupant remains unaccounted for. Two individuals received treatment at the scene by AMR medics.

The Federal Aviation Administration will lead the investigation into the crash, with the National Transportation Safety Board joining in the effort. The NTSB's Seattle office has informed Gresham Fire Department that a team will be dispatched to the crash site to assist with the investigation.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, our thoughts are with the affected families and the emergency personnel working tirelessly to bring the situation under control.