Commander Rosi with the Navy said two aircrew safely ejected from the plane that was based in Oceana. Both pilots have been taken to a nearby hospital, according to reports from the scene.
Witnesses say two apartment buildings near the crash site are on fire, and rescue workers are searching for potential casualties. Military police is also on site. Interstate 264 has been closed down. Thick black smoke can be seen rising from the scene.
A spokesperson from the Virginia Fire department has told reporters the fire has been contained. However, there are conflicting reports on location about potential casualties, as some people say at least one person was carried out on a stretcher from one of the apartment buildings that caught on fire after the crash.
One of the first peope on the scene told CBS news that he helped move one of the pilots to a safe distance from the blaze. According to the witness, the pilot was conscious and apologized profusely for crashing into the apartment complex.
Several people have also claimed the fighter jet was seen dumping fuel just before the crash, in order to avoid an explosion upon impact.
Up close photo of US Navy F18 crash in Virginia.
F18 crash site, tweeted by @INFOen140.
The plane’s ejected seat (photo by Ross Grogg @wrossgrogg).
“Image from a friend who lives near the apartments in Virginia Beach that the F-18 crashes into,” says @Andrew_Brandt in Twitter.
Photo from the scene of F18 crash in Virginia Beach, via WAVY, tweeted by @nycsouthpaw.