2 dead in small plane crash in Tofino

Two people are dead and a third seriously injured following a plane crash and fire, Tofino RCMP said Thursday.

Police say the runway crash happened at 12:48 p.m. PT at the Long Beach Airport in the Vancouver Island community about 200 kilometres up-island from Victoria.

Initial information indicates a six-seat aircraft may have suffered an engine fire on takeoff, police said in a statement.

The release state three people were in the plane: two who died at the scene, and a third who was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

No other people were on board.

RCMP, the Transportation Safety Board and the B.C. Coroners Service are all investigating.