A business jet has crashed in a Florida neighbourhood killing all nine people on board.

The Learjet aircraft erupted into a massive fireball in a residential area near Cresthaven, Florida, at around 12:50pm local time.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed all nine on board had died.

He said: "Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost."

Read more:
Man dead after being approached by police
Cambridge University professor died in Spain train crash

It had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was headed to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.

It is not yet known if anyone on the ground was hurt.

Footage of the crash showed the aircraft nose-diving from the sky and erupting into a giant fireball near a major roadway just inches from passing vehicles.

It appeared to just miss homes and left a large crater in the pavement.

A woman working nearby said electricity in the area had been out for approximately two hours following the crash.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.