Authorities in Wisconsin say a small airplane has crashed in the backyard of a house in Marshfield, killing the three people on board the aircraft.

No one on the ground was injured.

Officials said the plane had caught fire after the crash late Saturday and burned the back wall of the house.

Marshfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Roy Dolens told WSAW-TV that it wasn't immediately clear whether the pilot was trying to land at the Marshfield airport or if the plane had just taken off.

Federation aviation investigators were expected to examine the crash scene.

Marshfield is located about 40 miles southwest of Wausau, Wis.