A US military Harrier jet has crashed into a residential area in southern California, destroying a number of homes on Wednesday afternoon.

An AV-8B Harrier from from Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, crashed into the roof of one house in the city of Imperial in California at around 16:20 (07:20 GMT). The explosion from the impact also set alight the roofs of the two neighbouring properties.

The pilot of the jet managed to safely eject from the plane before the crash, and has been taken to hospital for evaluation.

It appears the house where the plane impacted was deserted and there are no reports of injuries to those on the ground.

Military authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.