WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Several explosions rocked a chemical plant in Kansas City, in the U.S. Midwest state of Missouri, Wednesday afternoon but there were no reports of injuries or deaths so far, U.S. media reported.

    The Chemcentral plant was engulfed in fire which sent a huge plume of black smoke over the area, TV footage showed.

    Local authorities ordered an evacuation of about 500 residents living within one mile (1.6 km) of the Chemcentral plant, and officials went door-to-door to urge them to get out.

    The company, which has 15 to 20 workers, distributes dozens of products, such as waxes, resins, solvents, acids, urethane polyols, pigments and silicones.

    It was not known immediately what had caused the explosions.

    Firefighters initially attempted to put out the fire but soon after abandoned the effort. Kansas City fire department officials said the only safe way to handle the fire was to let it burn itself out.

    News reports said it could take the fire 72 hours to burn itself out.

    The Environmental Protection Agency and health officials from Kansas City were monitoring the air for chemical content.