Flames can be seen at the site of a helicopter crash outside Pigeon Forge, Tenn., April 4, 2016.(Photo: WBIR-TV, Knoxville, Tenn.)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>—<span style="color: Red;">*</span>A sightseeing helicopter<span style="color: Red;">*</span>crash in Pigeon Forge<span style="color: Red;">*</span>killed five people<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
Monday afternoon, police said.
"There was not much left of the helicopter," said Pigeon Forge Police Chief Jack Baldwin near the scene. "There's just a small piece of the tailwing<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and that's about what's left of the helicopter."
Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing fire after the crash around 3:30 p.m. ET. They also reported seeing the helicopter crash into trees.
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Officials told the FAA that the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Bell<span style="color: Red;">*</span>206 two-bladed<span style="color: Red;">*</span>sightseeing helicopter was destroyed by fire. There was no word on who it is registered to.
"We've got to get the fire under control, then we'll stay with the crash, or what's left of it until the FAA gets here," Baldwin said.
According to FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen, local authorities "will release the number of people on board, their names and conditions."
Then, the FAA will release the helicopter registration, according to Bergen.
Pigeon Forge Fire Department as well as six or seven other departments<span style="color: Red;">*</span>responded.
The Tennessee Forestry Division also was going to the scene because the crash started a fire in the woods.
Pigeon Forge,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>in eastern Tennessee near the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Great Smoky Mountains National Park,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>is famous for being home to Dollywood, country music singer/songwriter<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park.
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