Nov 5 (Reuters) - Emergency teams responded on Wednesday

to a chemical leak, possibly caused by an explosion, at a

fertilizer plant in Central Mississippi, according to Governor

Tate Reeves and media reports. No injuries were immediately

reported.

A tall cloud of orange vapor could be seen rising over the

facility in a photo from the scene of the plant posted online by

television station WJTV, a CBS News affiliate in Jackson,

Mississippi, the state capital.

The governor identified the leaking chemical as anhydrous

ammonia, a toxic substance that can cause irritation to the eyes

and lungs.

Fertilizer manufacturer CF Industries ( CF ) said in

statement that "all employees and contractors on site at the

time of the incident have been safely accounted for, with no

injuries reported."

It said it had notified government officials of an

"incident" that occurred at its Yazoo City Complex at about 4:25

p.m. CT (2225 GMT).

Reeves said in a statement posted on social media that state

authorities were "actively responding to the anhydrous ammonia

leak" at the plant, located about 50 miles (80.5 km) north of

Jackson.

"Initial reports indicate the leak is due to an explosion. At

this time, no deaths or injuries have been reported," the

governor said.

Personnel from the Mississippi Department of Environmental

Quality were among various teams dispatched to the scene, WJTV

reported.

The governor said residents living along two nearby streets

should be evacuated, while other residents in the vicinity were

encouraged to shelter in place.