What we know about deadly Kentucky cargo plane crash

At least seven people have been killed after a cargo plane ran off the runway and burst into flames in Kentucky on Tuesday.

The burning aircraft, which was operated by the American delivery company UPS, struck several buildings when it crashed mid-takeoff. Officials fear the number of dead and injured could rise.

Here is everything we know so far.

Where did the crash happen and what was hit?

UPS flight 2976, an MD-11F cargo plane, crashed during takeoff at Louisville International Airport at around 17:15 local time on Tuesday, skidding off the runway and striking nearby buildings.

The aircraft burst into flames and at least two nearby businesses were hit by the wreckage, the state's governor Andy Beshear has said.

Kentucky Petroleum Recycling was struck "pretty directly", Beshear said, with a second business - Grade A Auto Parts - also impacted.

Unverified footage of the incident shows the plane was already engulfed in flames when it careered off the runway.

The flames spread to several buildings close to the runway and officials launched a major operation to halt the blaze from spreading further.

Nearby residents were ordered to stay inside over fears of further explosions and air pollution. The airport is located in Kentucky's biggest city and several neighbourhoods and business districts surround it.

All operations at the airport have been halted.

How many people have been killed or injured?

Officials have confirmed seven deaths so far but have warned that number is expected to rise.

It is unclear whether that death toll includes the three crew members who were onboard the plane and are feared dead.

Eleven other people are have been injured and are being treated in hospital - but local officials say that figure is also likely to rise.

The head of the local fire service said he was not aware of anyone being trapped in nearby buildings but said searches were still ongoing.

Two workers at the auto business that was struck were still unaccounted for as of Tuesday evening, and it is not known how many customers were on the premises when the crash happened.

What caused the crash?

A preliminary investigation is under way but officials have said it is too early to say what caused the crash.

After an initial take off, it climbed to 175 ft before its altitude suddenly crashed.

It's unclear what caused the crash, but video shows a portion of its wing on fire.

Officials did note, though, that the massive blaze was due to the amount of fuel onboard the aircraft, which was beginning a journey of around 4,300 miles (6,920km) to Hawaii.

The aircraft was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it crashed.

It has not been confirmed what cargo was on board, though officials have said the plane was not carrying anything that would create a heightened risk of contamination.

Louisville Fire Department chief Brian O'Neal said the amount of fuel spilled at the crash site made it a "very dangerous situation".

An order warning people to shelter in place was reduced from a five-mile radius from the airport to a one-mile radius as crews worked to contain the blaze on Tuesday night.

The model of aircraft involved was a MD-11F large triple-engine plane, which first entered service 34 years ago.