Small Plane Crashes into Austin Building
Updated: Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 11:16 AM CST
Published : Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 10:26 AM CST
AUSTIN, Texas - A small aircraft plane has crashed into a 7-story office building in North Austin near Mopac and 183.
The plane crashed into the Echleon building around 10 a.m. Thursday. Police quickly blocked off access roads around the building as firefighters battled the 2-alarm blaze.
Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the crash as firefigthers worked to evacuate the building. There were reports that people could be trapped on the second floor of the building, but officials say the fire is under control.
"Two our knowledge everyone has evacuated," said Austin's Assistant Fire Chief, Harry Evans. "We have one individual who is unaccounted for at this time."
The plane may have departed from nearby Lakeway Airport off of Lake Travis, but this has not been confirmed.
One witness, a flight instructor, told FOX in Austin the plane was traveling at "full force" when it hit the building.
"I just thought it was an old air conditioner we had going off, but then you could see the smoke," said a worker across the freeway from the crash. "At first I didn't think anything was going on, but then I walked outside and everyone else was out there."
Early reports incorrectly identified the building as part of the FBI, but an FBI spokesman tells FOX 26 News the building on fire does not have federal offices inside. There is an FBI office within two blocks of the crash, however.
The FBI tells FOX 26 there is no indication this is anything other than an accident.
No word on injuries just yet, but two people that were inside the building are unaccounted for.
Check back with MyFoxHouston.com for updates to this story as they become available.
Small Plane Crashes into Austin Building | MyFoxhouston.com