CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Fire officials said no one was injured during an explosion and fire Saturday afternoon at the Quaker Oats plant in northeast Cedar Rapids.
The explosion happened about 4:45 p.m. Oct. 24, 2026, at the plant along the Cedar River, where crowds gathered on the west side to watch.
Fire crews encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the north side of the building, according to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department.
Crews immediately began fire suppression efforts and plant personnel reported everyone evacuated safely.
Smoke could be seen in the Time Check Neighborhood in northwest Cedar Rapids during the fire at the Quaker Oats plant. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Area emergency personnel helped in the response, including supplemental units from Marion, Hiawatha and Linn County, along with Area Ambulance Service.
One person at the scene whose brother works at the plant said the explosion was in the boiler system, but that could not be confirmed and the cause of the fire remained under investigation last night.
Firefighters remained at the scene as of 6:30 p.m.
A predecessor to Quaker founded an oatmeal company in the 1850s in Akron, Ohio, and by 1873, a partnership started an oat mill in Cedar Rapids, later known as the North Star Oatmeal Mills, owned at various times by the Stuart, Higley and Douglas families. The plant was rebuilt after sustaining major fires in 1888 and 1905.
Fondly known for its Crunch Berries scent, the plant also produces Life cereal, Cap’n Crunch and other products, and has been considered as the largest cereal mill in the world.
See more photos from the fire, below: © Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan
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