Associated Press

London, Mar 31: A small plane crashed into a residential area south of London late on Sunday evening (IST), killing five people and completely destroying a house, police and rescue officials said.

Fire and police officials said they had found no survivors amid the flaming wreckage. Officials said the plane was carrying two pilots and three passengers.

"No survivors were found, but I can confirm that there were no people involved in the houses," said Jim Bascran, of the London fire department.

Police said they would not release any more information on the identities of the dead until their next of kin had been notified.

The private plane crashed into a house in Farnborough in Kent, just south of London, sometime after 1900 IST, officials said. The neighborhood, Broadwater Gardens, lies near Biggin Hill Airport, about 20 kilometers from central London.

The small airport was an important Royal Air Force fighter station during World War II, but now serves private jets and helicopters.

Biggin Hill Airport said the plane, a Cessna Citation jet popular with business travelers, reported difficulties shortly after takeoff.

"The pilot made a call to say he was experiencing a problem and requested permission to land, but unfortunately crashed before reaching the airport," Biggin Hill said in a statement.

Sky News television said the plane was headed to France.