Two are in critical condition after a small plane crashed into a residential area in the Tokyo suburb of Chofu city Sunday morning, Japan's broadcaster NHK reported.

The accident took place at around 11 a.m. local time and three house buildings and two cars caught fire due to the crash.

Local firefighters are carrying out rescue work, according to NHK footage that also showed the burned houses and tail part of the small plane.

NHK said that four people failed to run away from the accident site and three of them were rescued. Two among the rescued were in critical condition and the firefighters are trying to rescue the last one who is trapped in the relics.

The accident took place in an area that is close to Chofu airport, which is mainly served by small propeller aircraft, according to Japan's Kyodo News.