VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A U.S. Navy jet crashed and set fire to a Virginia apartment complex Friday and the two-member crew ejected safely, officials said.
There were no reports of deaths, although several people were being treated for smoke inhalation, said Bruce Nedelka, Virginia Beach chief of emergency services.
Television footage showed a smoking two-story building with its roof torn off multiple rooms. Nedelka said at least two buildings were on fire.
The Navy said the jet crashed shortly after takeoff shortly after noon. Both pilots ejected safely were taken to a local hospital for observation.
Witness Pat Kavanaugh told TV station WTKR that he talked with one of the pilots after the crash and checked his body for injuries.
“He was in shock” but was OK, Kavanaugh said.
The area has a large concentration of military bases, including Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world.
The Navy said in a news release that the jet was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 based at Naval Air Station Oceana. The squadron trains Navy and Marine Corps replacement pilots and weapon systems officers to support fleet commitments.