Date:12/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/12/stories/2006101219490100.htm

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Small plane crashes into New York building

This image from video shows fire and smoke after a small plane crashed into a high-rise on Manhattan's Upper East side, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Courtesy WABC, via APTN)

NEW YORK: Two persons were killed when a small plane crashed into a high-rise apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side here on Wednesday. Police said it touched off a raging fire that sent a pillar of black smoke over the city.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has said the crash appears to be an accident and there is no indication of terrorism.

The accident recalled bad memories of the disastrous 2001 terrorist attacks on New York's World Trade Center.

Flames could be seen shooting from windows on two upper floors of The Belaire, a 50-storey tower on East 72nd Street, close to the East River.

Burning debris fell on the streets below as firefighters shot streams of water at the flames from lower floors.

Fire Department spokeswoman Emily Rahimi said the aircraft struck the 20th floor. The tower was built in the late 1980s and is situated near Sotheby's Auction House. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million. - Agencies.