A Cedar Rapids Quaker Oats plant caught fire after an apparent explosion
An apparent explosion sparked a fire Saturday at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sending black smoke over the city. Officials said all workers were accounted for and no injuries were reported. Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said the fire began in an area not heavily populated by employees. The fire was mostly out by 6:25 p.m.; cause remains unclear.
More context
A blast apparently ignited a fire Saturday at Cedar Rapids' Quaker Oats plant, sending dense black smoke across the city. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department said the explosion occurred inside the building. Firefighters rushed to the plant around 4:45 p.m., with flames and heavy smoke visible on its north side. The department reported that everyone at the site was accounted for and no injuries had been reported. On Facebook, Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell described the affected product-handling area as one with relatively few employees and team members, calling that circumstance “a blessing.” Most of the fire was out by 6:25 p.m., the fire department said. The cause and extent of damage were unclear. The company says the plant is the world's largest milling facility and processes more than 2 million pounds of oats daily.
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Reporting
- The Economic Times — Massive fire erupts at world’s largest of its kind Iowa Quaker Oats plant after reported explosion; all workers safe - The Economic Times
- Ottumwa Courier — Explosion and fire erupt at Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; no injuries | National News | ottumwacourier.com
- Fox Business — Quaker Oats plant explosion and fire sends smoke over Cedar Rapids | Fox Business
- New York Post — Massive fire erupts after explosion at Quaker Oats plant that’s ‘a staple of this town’
- ABC7 Los Angeles — Explosion and fire erupt at Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; no injuries - ABC7 Los Angeles
Verifier’s note
The results report an explosion and fire at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids on October 24, with no injuries reported. They were published within about 24 hours of the event.