Fire officials say a train has derailed and that several buildings have collapsed in a Baltimore suburb after an explosion was heard for kilometres.

A fire spokeswoman says the train derailed about 2 p.m. ET Tuesday in White Marsh. The spokeswoman says it was not known if there were any injuries.

Tweets from Baltimore County Police and Fire say Hazmat teams are responding.

Photos and video on TV stations showed a large plume of smoke rising from the area. At least three rail cars could be seen off the tracks.

Overhead news shots show several blackened buildings and fires burning.