City of Cedar Rapids news release
Cedar Rapids, IA – at approximately 4:44 Saturday afternoon, Cedar Rapids Joint Communications Agency Dispatchers received a call for a fire and explosion in the Quaker Oats plant in downtown Cedar Rapids.
Upon arrival, responders found heavy smoke and flames coming from the north side of the building. They began immediate personnel accountability and fire suppression efforts.
All available resources were brought to the location including supplemental units from Marion, Hiawatha, and Linn County, along with Area Ambulance Service.
Plant personnel who needed to evacuate were able to complete accountability and report to responders that all individuals were safe – and no injuries or fatalities were reported with this incident. No firefighter injuries were reported.
Firefighting operations we’re successful in extinguishing most of the fire. However, as of 625 p.m., there are still limited operations addressing final efforts and overhaul in the interior of the building.
The cause of this fire and explosion are under investigation.
There is no further information to release at this time.
Photos and updates from this incident can be found at the Cedar Rapids Fire Department’s Facebook page.