Two people were killed and one was critically injured when the KOMO (Seattle) News helicopter crashed and burned Tuesday morning on Broad Street only yards away from the Space Needle.

Emergency personnel immediately rushed to the scene.

KOMO reports that two vehicles were struck in the crash. Witnesses said a man could be seen running from from one car with his sleeve on fire, and he was extinguished by officers at the scene.

Huge flames and plumes of black smoke poured from the burning wreckage, about 50 yards from the base of the Space Needle. Fuel gushing from the wreckage caught fire and burned for a block from the crash scene.

The Seattle Fire Department said two people were found dead in the wreckage. A third person was rushed to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries.

Witnesses said the helicopter crashed as it was taking off from the roof of Fisher Plaza, across the street from the Space Needle.Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames within a half-hour. Traffic was diverted from the area.

You can watch live coverage from KOMO