Two people aboard a news helicopter were killed when it crashed in central Seattle at the foot of the landmark Space Needle, fire officials have said.
The helicopter belonging to broadcaster KOMO went down at about 07:52 local time (14:52 GMT).
A man managed to free himself from a car destroyed in the accident, after suffering burns over 50% of his body, a fire department spokesman said.
KOMO said the helicopter was trying to take off when it crashed
The broadcaster identified the deceased as photographer Bill Strothman and Gary Pfitzner, both contract workers.
Three vehicles on the street caught fire as the helicopter crashed right outside KOMO's studios.
A witness told KOMO the engine of the helicopter "sounded extra heavy" as it started up, and he heard an explosion seconds later.
Firefighters arrived to find a huge plume of thick black smoke, said fire department spokesman Kyle Moore.
Aviation fuel leaked from the wreckage and caught fire, helping firefighters' efforts to keep it from contaminating the city's sewer system.
Mr Moore said investigators had no indication the helicopter struck a building.
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