Emergency crews in Texas are responding to two large explosions at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, near Waco, authorities say.

Gayle Scarbrough, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety in Waco, told television station KWTX that DPS troopers have been transporting the injured to hospitals in their patrol cars. She says six helicopters were also en route.

The blast at West Fertilizer plant, reported shortly before 8 p.m. CT, was confirmed by Waco police dispatch operators. First responders are dealing with numerous injuries and major damage to structures and vehicles, Scarbrough said.

Several buildings, some in residential areas,  were reported to be burning, others destroyed, and a nearby nursing home was damaged, according to a report from KWTX.

Initial reports say people are trapped in a nearby nursing home and an apartment building.

A local school football field is being setup as a staging area, and emergency units are also being asked to gather.

According to scanner traffic, authorities are trying to block drivers from coming into town and evacuations are underway, FOX17 reports

 Fox News.

Categories: news

Tags: explosion, Texas