A US Navy F-18 jet has crashed shortly after take off

A navy spokesman told the BBC that the plane went down just before 12:08 (16:08 GMT) and two crew members ejected safely.

The plane hit an apartment building, with photos showing flames and black smoke rising from behind houses.

Both pilots and four other people, including a firefighter, are being treated for injuries.

One person has already been released from Virginia Beach hospital, and there have been no reports of fatalities.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Pentagon spokesman George Little used Twitter to say Defence Secretary Leon Panetta was being kept informed: "#SecDef is closely monitoring F-18 crash in Virginia Beach; concerned about potential loss of life and injuries."