A small plane has crashed at Southend Airport with witnesses reporting seeing a 'huge fireball'. Police were called to the airport at around 4pm this afternoon, after witnesses reported seeing black smoke According to reports, the aircraft crashed on take-off. It is believed the plane was travelling to the Netherlands. Images posted on social media show a plume of fire and black smoke coming up from the crash site at the Essex airport. As a precaution because of their proximity to the incident, police said they are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Essex Police said in a statement: "We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. "We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours. We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues." It's not clear whether there were any casualties. The number of people on board has not been confirmed yet, the Mirror reports . East of England Ambulance Service said several emergency vehicles rushed to the scene. They said in a statement: "Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance have been sent to Southend Airport responding to reports of an incident involving an airplane." Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: "We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm. "Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended. "We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners. Please avoid the area if possible while this work continues." Matt Dent, Southend City Council’s cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said on X: “I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. “At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.” Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West & Leigh, said on X: "I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved." Preliminary reports claim the plane that crashed was a Beech B200 Super King Air. The aircraft was scheduled to fly from Southend Airport to Lelystad in the Netherlands.