Santie Wholesale Oil Co. fire in Sikeston

Photo courtesy of Jill Bock, Sikeston Standard Democrat At approximately 9:45 a.m. today, fire personnel were called to Reliable Propane, 125 Larcel Drive in Sikeston in response to a fire in the propane area. The blaze quickly grew as propane tanks exploded, prompting Sikeston DPS to evacuate the surrounding businesses. Additional fire personnel are being called to the scene.

A large blaze broke out this morning at Santie Wholesale Oil in Sikeston, keeping fire crews busy for hours. (Courtesy of The Standard Democrat)

Members of the Sikeston Fire Department take a break from battling the blaze that broke out at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

For most of the morning and into the afternoon, thick black smoke wafted from the scene of a fire at 126 Larcel Drive in Sikeston. (FRED LYNCH)

Although two firefighters suffered from heat exhaustion, no one was injured in the Santie blaze. (FRED LYNCH)

Charred propane tanks rest outside a warehouse that caught fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

A charred truck rests outside the structure that caught fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Captain Jim McMillen with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety holds a piece of shrapnel from a 20 pound propane tank after it exploded during the blaze that broke out at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Santie is an oil distributor for companies such as Chevron/Texaco. (FRED LYNCH)

Witnesses near the scene of the fire at Santie described hearing explosions this morning. (FRED LYNCH)

Estimates were not yet available Monday afternoon, but damage from the blaze appeared to be extensive. (FRED LYNCH)

Fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Witnesses say this propane tank that landed near Walmart, shot out like a missile from the fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Ambulances are on standby in case of emergency medical attention is needed for the fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Members of the Sikeston Fire Department take a break from battling the blaze that broke out at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Charred propane tanks rest outside a warehouse that caught fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

A member of the Sikeston Police Department directs traffic on Main St. to keep motorist away from the fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Fire at Santie Wholesale Oil Co.in Sikeston Missouri, Monday July 13, 2015 (Carol Kellison)

Members of the Sikeston Fire Department battle a blaze that broke out at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Members of the Sikeston Fire Department battle a blaze that broke out at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

Members of the Sikeston Fire Department battle a blaze that broke out at Santie Wholesale Oil Co. in Sikeston Monday, July 13, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)