Firefighters attempt to douse a blaze following an explosion at a fertilizer plant in the U.S. state of Texas.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) SGT. PATRICK SWANTON, WACO POLICE DEPT SAYING:<br/> <br />"There are homes leveled. There are businesses leveled. There is massive devastation in the downtown West area."<br/> <br />The explosion also injured more than 160 people.<br/> <br />Eye witnesses describe the harrowing experience of being caught in the disaster's radius.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) DR. GEORGE SMITH, MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF WEST EMS SAYING:<br/> <br />"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."<br/> <br />The town's mayor said on Thursday the emphasis now was rescuing survivors.
