Perry: State resources mobilized after explosion

Gov. Rick Perry speaks about education to the Texas Business Leadership Council, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Perry says he supports taking a hard look at the 15 standardized tests Texas high school students are currently required to take for graduation. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

File - Gov. Rick Perry  Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Perry has mobilized state resources after explosion at plant in West, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
File – Gov. Rick Perry Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Perry has mobilized state resources after explosion at plant in West, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Associated Press

WACO, TEXAS — Texas Gov. Rick Perry says state resources have been mobilized to help local authorities after a fertilizer plant explosion near Waco.

The governor released a statement late Wednesday night, saying state officials are “monitoring developments and gathering information as details continue to emerge about this incident.”

The blast occurred shortly before 8 p.m. at West Fertilizer in West, a community about 20 miles north of Waco. Dozens are reported injured. The explosion also caused major damage to surrounding buildings.

It could be heard as far away as Waxahachie, 45 miles to the north.

Perry says “thoughts and prayers are with the people of West, and the first responders on the scene.”