A fireball erupted from the base of SpaceX's so-called "Starhopper" prototype rocket after a test at the company's facility in Texas.

A fireball erupted from the base of SpaceX's prototype rocket minutes after a key test at the company's facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

The blaze erupted Tuesday evening from what appeared to be a small fire after SpaceX tested the rocket's engine. Video from a YouTube livestream of the test, used by CNBC with permission, showed the event unfold. It is unclear if any damage was done to the rocket, which is made of stainless steel, and SpaceX has not responded to CNBC's request for comment on the incident.

Known as "Starhopper," the prototype rocket is the early version of the company's Starship rocket. Starship, with an enormous booster called "Super Heavy," is being built to achieve founder Elon Musk's dream of transporting up to 100 people to destinations including the moon and Mars.