An explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant in a small town near Waco has injured 200 people and destroyed dozens of homes and businesses, an emergency official said.

Of the 200 people injured, 40 were injured critically, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Gail Scarborough said. It was unclear whether or not there were deaths.

Besides the injuries, 75 to 100 houses and business were completely destroyed in and around the plant.

Firefighters were on scene of a structure fire at the West, Texas, fertilizer plant.

"They are still on scene, assessing the scene, treating the injuries, taking injured to the hospitals," Dani Moore, a spokeswoman for State Highway Patrol told ABC News Radio.

It was unclear what caused the explosion.

At least 10 buildings in the town of West were on fire, including a school located next to the plant, ABC News affiliate WFAA reported.

The town of West has a population of about 2,800.

【新闻快讯】据美国媒体报道，当地时间17日19点50分，美国得克萨斯州一化肥厂发生爆炸，造成5到15人死亡、数百人受伤。

报道称，爆炸发生在一个名叫韦科的小镇附近，爆炸威力之大致使周围建筑着火。值得注意的是，在它周围的这些建筑中有学校和养老院。当局表示尚不清楚是否有人遇难。

目前受伤者已被抬往医院救治。另外，化肥厂附近的一个足球场已建起临时救助站，两家临近的医院也在接收伤者。

一名应急管理机构的官员表示，除救护车外，当局至少已经派出6架直升机进行救援。

这次德州爆炸事件发生在波士顿马拉松赛爆炸案后不久，引起美国当局注意。4月15日波士顿马拉松国际赛期间，赛场终点线附近发生爆炸，造成3人死亡，另有逾180人受伤，其中23人情况危急。

波士顿马拉松赛爆炸案>>>