Soybeans, hopper damaged in Cargill fire

CEDAR RAPIDS - Soybeans and a hopper were damaged in a fire at Cargill's milling facility Tuesday night.

According to a Cedar Rapids Fire Department news release, crews were called to the Cargill grain milling facility at 1120 12th Ave. SW at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a fire in the grain dryer. When firefighters arrived on the scene, fire was visible from an exterior grain holding hopper, authorities said.

Using a ladder truck, firefighters attacked the flames from above. Authorities then worked with Cargill staff to empty the hopper of the burning soybeans, which were placed in a parking lot. There were no reported injuries at the time of the fire.

The fire department said the fire was unintentional, but did not list a cause.

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