Explosion and Fire at Quaker Oats Plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Leave No Injuries

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — An apparent explosion sparked a fire Saturday at a Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which the company describes as the world’s largest milling facility. No injuries were reported, fire officials said.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said crews were called to the plant at approximately 4:45 p.m. Images and video shared on social media showed a column of black smoke rising over the downtown area of the city, which has about 140,000 residents.

The department said on Facebook that the blaze appeared to have started with an explosion.

Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said in a Facebook video that every worker escaped safely and was accounted for. No injuries were reported.

The fire broke out in a section of the building where products were handled, O’Donnell said.

“It’s not heavily populated with employees and team members, which of course in this case was a blessing,” O’Donnell said.

DON’T MISS: Explosion Prompts Emergency Response at Iowa Quaker Oats Factory

Authorities had not immediately determined what caused the fire.

PepsiCo Foods US said in a statement that fire crews responded to the scene. The cause of the blaze will be investigated, the company said.

The Quaker Oats brand, through the Quaker Mill Company, will mark its 150th anniversary in 2027. PepsiCo owns the brand.

According to the company’s website, the Cedar Rapids Quaker Oats plant is the world’s largest milling facility, processing more than 2 million pounds (900,000 kilograms) of oats each day.