Multiple people died as a helicopter struck a radio tower in Houston on Sunday night and sparked a large fire, authorities said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police Chief J. Noe Diaz said at a news conference that four people were on board, including a child, and that there were multiple deaths when the private helicopter crashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Houston Fire Department initially reported the crash took place in the city’s Second Ward neighborhood, where the helicopter appeared to have struck a radio tower before it sparked the fire about 7:54 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the news conference, fire officials said a blaze spread as far as three blocks before it was stopped. Businesses in the area were closed at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diaz said it did not appear anyone on the ground was hurt. He described the helicopter as a Robinson R44 that had taken off from Ellington Field. Its destination was not immediately known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The identities of the people on board have not been released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials said the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration would investigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n