A powerful explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco in the small Texas town of the US killed at least two. Hundreds of people were injured in the blast. The rescue operations are on and around 2600 people will be evacuated. The explosion was so massive that it was heard for kilometres.

Fire officials feared that the number of casualties could rise and around 60 to 70 were feared dead. The explosion damaged numerous buildings including a school and nursing home where people were believed trapped inside.

The blast took place at around 8 p.m. CDT (0100 GMT on Thursday) in West, a town where about 2,700 people were living, about 18 miles north of Waco.

The explosion sent a massive fireball into the sky. Flames leaped over the roof of a structure and a plume of smoke rose high into the air. it caused major damage at nearby buildings.