BIDDEFORD — A small plane crashed into a house at 235 Granite Street Extension Sunday evening, killing the pilot and destroying the home.

Hundreds gathered to watch as firefighters from the Biddeford, Saco and Goodwin’s Mills worked to extinguish the flames. Biddeford Deputy Fire Chief Paul LaBrecque said the fire started just after 6 p.m. and was under control in about an hour.

LaBrecque said the plane looked like a six-seater, twin-engine aircraft. The pilot died at the scene. The pilot’s name was not available at press time. No one was in the home when the crash took place, and no other injuries were reported.

Larry and Diane Dutremble were the first on the scene.

Around 6 p.m., the two were on their way to dinner. They had left their home on Charles Avenue and were heading toward downtown Biddeford on Granite Street Extension.

They noticed a small airplane heading to the nearby Biddeford Municipal Airport.

“We were commenting on the headlights not lining up with the runway,” said Larry Dutremble.

Then, he said, he and his wife noticed the plane was flying askew and was heading toward them.

Dutremble said he put his vehicle into reverse. Then the aircraft hit a nearby pine tree and landed in the roof of the Granite Street Extension home.

Immediately, he called 911 to report the plane crash. After he hung up, said Dutremble, the aircraft exploded and soon the home was engulfed in flames.

The owners of the home, Kim and Steve Myers, said the Biddeford Fire Department told them that nothing was salvageable from their house.

The couple was having dinner at the home of Kim Myer’s sister on West Street when they got a call about what had happened.

After arriving at the scene, the couple said they were thankful to be alive.

Although a number of people who live by the airport dislike it and have warned about the possibility of plane crashes, the Myers said they like where they live.

“We love watching the planes fly by,” said Steve Myers.

He said Sunday’s incident was “just a freak accident,” and he plans to rebuild at the same location.

The couple said they would stay with relatives for the time being.

LaBrecque said the house was a total loss, but the homeowners had insurance.

LaBrecque said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.