Firefighters attempt to douse a blaze following an explosion at a fertilizer plant in the U.S. state of Texas.

Police say up to 15 died in the Wednesday evening blast that destroyed dozens of homes in West, a small town around 130 kilometers from Dallas.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SGT. PATRICK SWANTON, WACO POLICE DEPT SAYING:

"There are homes leveled. There are businesses leveled. There is massive devastation in the downtown West area."

The explosion also injured more than 160 people.

Eye witnesses describe the harrowing experience of being caught in the disaster's radius.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DR. GEORGE SMITH, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF WEST EMS SAYING:

"There was just a major, major explosion. The windows came in on me. The roof came in on me. The ceiling came in. I worked my way out to go get some more help. Of course we lost all communication because the power went out."

The town's mayor said on Thursday the emphasis now was rescuing survivors.