GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (AP) — Two people died when a small plane crashed and caught on fire near a suburban Denver airport on Friday, officials said.

The crash happened just south of Centennial Airport and was initially reported as an explosion, Deborah Takahara, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, said.

Firefighters found the Beech BE35 airplane engulfed in flames, with the fire threatening to spread to a nearby building and some diesel-powered generators, Brian Willie, a spokesperson for South Metro Fire Rescue, said. Firefighters were able to put out the flames, he said.

The plane appeared to have crashed in the parking lot of an industrial office park.

Air traffic control audio posted by LiveATC.net includes an air traffic controller clearing the plane for tak

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