A local NBC news helicopter crashed in a Los Angeles neighbourhood and burst into flames, killing at least three people while reporters were covering the nearby crash of an SUV and a city bus, officials and the station said.

Colleen Williams, an NBC4 Los Angeles anchor, confirmed during live broadcasts on Tuesday that the station's chopper went down just before 7pm and two people on the helicopter were killed.

“We are going to take a couple of minutes to think about that, process it,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion.

Moments later their coverage abruptly cut off.

At a press conference, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and other officials embraced a crying NBC reporter who also was hugged by fellow journalists.

“Losing five Angelenos is very painful,” Bass said.

“And I know this community of Chatsworth, hit hard, will be grieving for some time.”

The helicopter crashed near a large storage facility in the neighbourhood of Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley, as news crews were covering the bus crash that left at least two people dead and six others injured, according the Los Angeles Fire Department.

At least one person killed in the helicopter crash was outside in the parking lot next to the commercial building, said the Los Angeles Fire Department.

At least four cars and two storage containers on the ground burned after the helicopter caught fire, which was quickly put out, according to officials.

About two hours before the crash, an SUV slammed into the middle of a city bus, killing at least two people and injuring six others.

Photos and videos online showed half the SUV lodged into the side of the bus. (AP)



Edited by Tony Sabine