No injuries or fatalities were reported following an explosion and fire at the Quaker Oats facility in downtown Cedar Rapids on Saturday afternoon.
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department responded to a fire on the rear side of the facility, facing away from Interstate 380, at approximately 4:44 p.m. Firefighters discovered signs of an explosion while working to extinguish the blaze.
The fire was reported under control by 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Fire crews remained inside the building to check for remaining hot spots and complete overhaul operations.
As of 6:25 p.m., limited firefighting operations were still underway as crews worked to ensure the interior of the building was safe.
The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.
The incident drew attention from people in the area, with witnesses describing the sight of heavy, dark smoke rising from the facility as alarming.
Quaker Oats is a longstanding part of Cedar Rapids’ industrial history and a major presence in the downtown area.
Source: Cedar Rapids Fire Department and KCRG-TV9 reporting.
