An apparent explosion set off a fire Saturday afternoon at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All workers got out, and no one was hurt, city officials said.
Firefighters were called around 4:45 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames on the north side of the plant, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department said, according to the New York Post. The department said the fire started with an explosion inside the building.
What officials said
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said the fire broke out in a part of the plant where products move and few people work. That area is “not heavily populated with employees and team members,” she said, as quoted by the Post.
- Injuries: None reported among workers or firefighters.
- Fire status: Crews put out most of the fire by early evening. At 6:25 p.m., the fire department said crews were still working inside the building on final efforts and overhaul.
- Cause: Unknown. The fire department said the cause of the fire and explosion is under investigation.
The Quaker Oats Company is owned by PepsiCo.
About the plant
The Cedar Rapids plant is the largest milling plant of its kind in the world. It processes more than 2 million pounds of oats a day, according to the company’s website.
Officials have not said how much of the plant was damaged or whether production will be affected.
