Officials with the Cedar Rapids Fire Department says no one was hurt or killed in an explosion and fire at the Quaker Oats plant in downtown Cedar Rapids late Saturday afternoon. It took firefighters about 90 minutes to get the blaze under control. The cause of the incident is under investigation and the extent of damage is still being assessed. Bystanders gathered to watch the scene unfold, including Dan Gardner, who told KCRG-TV it gave him goosebumps and a range of emotions.
Another man, Emilio Esquivel from Texas, told KCRG-TV he was shocked when he looked out a window and took in the scene.
PepsiCo. Foods U-S, which owns the plant, released this statement on Saturday, “This evening a fire started at the Quaker facility in Cedar Rapids. Details of how the fire started will be investigated. We can confirm all employees are accounted for and we are grateful to the first responders who continue to operate at the facility.”
https://www.kcrg.com/2026/10/24/fire-explosion-reported-downtown-cedar-rapids-factory/
