At least three people were killed and a fourth was hospitalized after a helicopter believed to be operated by a news organization crashed Tuesday evening in Los Angeles, officials said.
The helicopter went down shortly before 7 p.m. between two commercial buildings at 9151 N. Mason Ave. in Chatsworth, prompting a response from 56 Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters.
LAFD Capt. Branden Silverman said the aircraft appeared to be a news helicopter, though he did not identify the outlet connected to it.
Fire officials evaluated four people at the crash site. Three were declared dead, while another person was taken to a local hospital in an unknown condition, the department said.
Silverman said one victim was a pedestrian in the parking lot. It was not immediately clear whether the remaining victims were inside the helicopter or were on the ground when it crashed.
The impact ignited a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and no nearby buildings were threatened, according to the LAFD.
Authorities had not yet said how many people were aboard the helicopter.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.