Helicopter crashes into crane in London's Vauxhall, kills two

A helicopter crashed into a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential blocks today, killing two people as it burst into flames and threw plumes of smoke into the foggy air above central London.Watch video

A helicopter crashed into a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential blocks on Wednesday, killing two people as it burst into flames and threw plumes of smoke into the foggy air above central London.

Police said there was nothing to suggest a terrorism link to the crash on the south bank of the River Thames in the British capital, where 52 commuters were killed in rush hour suicide bombings in 2005.

"There was a really loud bang," said Julie Marsden, who works in an office building near the crash site which is close to landmarks such as the headquarters of Britain's MI6 international intelligence agency and the Houses of Parliament.

"We saw the crane fall to the ground and this massive plume of black smoke," Marsden said.

An overhead view showing smoke and flames at the site of a helicopter crash in central London, as people gather to view the scene shortly after the incident. AP/Victor Jimenez, PA

Smoke billows from the scene following a helicopter crash in London, after it hit a crane on St. George's Tower building in the Vauxhall area of London. AP/Max James Tolhurst, PA

Police were questioning witnesses in the area and dozens of emergency vehicles were in attendance, Reuters reporters said.

Roads around the area including a route over the Thames were closed off, and bus and rail services were affected.

"There's nothing to suggest any terrorism link," a spokesman for London's Counter Terrorism Command said. The fire service said eight fire engines and 60 firefighters were on the scene.

The department of transport's crash investigation unit said it was preparing the launch an inquiry into the incident.

($1 = 0.6215 British pounds)