2 injured after explosion at Sikeston business

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Two people were injured in an explosion at a Sikeston business Wednesday morning.

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety Fire Division, New Madrid County Ambulance and South Scott Ambulance responded to PTI Potashnick Transportation, Inc. at 411 Lynual in Sikeston for a fire at 7:12 a.m.

Crews arrived on scene and determined two employees were cutting a metal drum when it exploded, according to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

The explosion from the drum caused severe injuries to one man that required immediate medical attention. He had an open fracture to the head and burns to his body.

The second employee had burns to the lower extremities.

Both employees received medical attention on scene and were transported to area hospitals for further treatment.

According to PTI Potashnick Transportation Inc. Facebook page, one employee was later taken to a burn unit at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

Fellow employees helped the injured and put out the fire.

The cause of the fire was determined to be from the employees cutting on an empty 55-gallon drum with a cuttin torch that contained explosive vapors. The drum caught fire and immediately exploded, striking one worker in the head, according to Sikeston DPS.

The shop area had moderate fire damage.

Firefighters put out the fire to prevent further damage to the business.

New Madrid County EMS, South Soctt County EMS and Sikeston DPS officer responded to the scene.