A helicopter flying over the Mississippi River ran into a powerline then crashed into a barge and sparked a fire, killing two people.

Cpl. Dallas Thompson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the two people who died Thursday were flying in the helicopter and there were no other reported injuries.

Power company Ameren says the helicopter crew was repairing and replacing tower lighting and marker balls on power lines.

The crash happened near East Alton, Illinois, which is about 20 miles north of St. Louis.

The state patrol says no one was on the barge and that the fire has been extinguished.

The river has been closed to commercial traffic.

AP video by Jeff Roberson