A plane has crashed in a residential area in San Diego, California. 

Pictures shared on social media show a huge fire in the middle of a residential street. 

The crash happened shortly before 4am local time on Thursday, May 22, in the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood of San Diego. 

The local police department said in a statement on Instagram: "We’re responding to a plane crash in the area of Sculpin Street and Santo Road. 

"Please avoid the area to allow emergency crews to work safely. 

"More information will be shared as it becomes available." 

Chief Dan Eddy from the San Diego Fire Department told reporters at the scene that 15 homes have been damaged by the crash. 

Firefighters are in the process of searching several homes across four blocks to ensure all residents have been evacuated after a wide area was doused in jet fuel. 

Chief Eddy added that at the time of the crash, there was "very dense fog" and you could "barely see in front of you," and when they arrived on scene "multiple cars" were on fire. 

All fires have now been put out, he added, saying their priority is now to ensure all residents in neighbouring products are safely evacuated. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the plane, a Cessna 550, crashed near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. 

The plane can carry up to eight people, but the FAA said "the number of people on board is unknown at this time". 

The FAA said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation.