They identify those who died in a small plane that crashed in Florida

(CNN) — Police in Florida have released the names of three people who died Thursday night when a plane crashed into a mobile home in Clearwater.

They are Martha Perry, 86, who lived in a mobile home; Mary Ellen Pender, 54, who was visiting; and pilot Jamin Patel, 54, said Clearwater police spokesman Rob Shaw.

A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration said that “under unknown circumstances the plane crashed into a mobile home park around 7:30 p.m.” and that a “fire followed the crash.”

The FAA said the plane had only one pilot.

At least nine people were inside the mobile home Thursday night, but only two remained at the time of the crash, D.Clearwater Fire and Rescue Dept.

Firefighters responded to the scene of the accident at Bayside Waters Mobile Home Park, Fire Chief Scott Ehlers said during a news conference Thursday. They had four mobile homes on fire.

The plane was “predominantly” found in a mobile home, the fire chief said Thursday.

“Our thoughts are with the three victims and their families; “This tragedy could have been worse,” said Police Chief Eric Gandy.

‘A huge column of smoke’

Clearwater resident Steven Askari told CNN he heard what sounded like an explosion Thursday night that shook his apartment.

“And the next thing I knew, a huge column of smoke appeared,” he said in one message.

The National Transportation Safety Board plans to remove the debris this Saturday and police will remain at the scene, Clearwater firefighters said.

“During the on-scene phase of the investigation process, the National Transportation Safety Board does not determine or speculate on the cause of the accident,” the agency said in a statement.

Clearwater, home to more than 110,000 people, is about 23 miles (37 kilometers) west of Tampa on Florida’s central west coast.