World · North America · 3 hrs ago
Device near Peoria ethanol plant made safe; evacuation lifted
A device deemed a credible threat was found near BioUrja’s ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, on Friday.
Police said bomb technicians made it safe, while state and federal officers searched the large facility for other explosives.
Authorities ordered people within one mile to leave, including residents in parts of neighboring East Peoria.
The evacuation order was lifted on Saturday after officers said they found nothing else of concern.
No injuries were reported, and officials said no arrests had been made.
The plant handles ethanol and other combustible materials, which officials said helped shape the safety zone.
Investigators are still looking for whoever was responsible for the device.
A device found near the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, prompted evacuations within a one-mile radius.
Bomb technicians rendered the device safe, and officials later lifted the evacuation notice after searching the plant and finding nothing of concern.
The evacuation zone included parts of Peoria and neighboring East Peoria, and shelters were made available to displaced residents.
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are investigating who was responsible; no arrests or injuries were reported.
Officials differed in how they described the device, with Peoria’s mayor calling it a bomb and the police chief saying its composition was still being determined.
- Who
- Residents and businesses within a one-mile radius of the BioUrja plant were told to evacuate. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies investigated.
- What
- A device described by the mayor as a bomb was found near the plant. Technicians rendered it safe, and officials searched the facility.
- When
- The device was discovered on Friday, November 13. The evacuation notice was lifted on Saturday, November 14.
- Where
- At the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, near the Illinois River. The evacuation zone also included part of East Peoria.
- Why
- Officials said the device was considered a credible threat and set the evacuation zone based on the potential blast radius and nearby materials.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon
Device identification
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali
Ali said authorities had found a bomb and called it a real threat.
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon
Dixon said he would not call the object a bomb while its composition was still being determined.
The device was found near the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria.
Peoria police announced an investigation of a reported bomb threat and urged people within one mile to evacuate.
Bomb technicians had rendered the device safe while investigators searched the facility.
Officers finished searching the plant and reported finding nothing of concern; the evacuation notice was lifted.
- Evacuation radius
- 1 mile
- Plant
- BioUrja Renewables, Peoria, Illinois
- Nearby city
- East Peoria
- Device status
- Rendered safe by bomb technicians
- Investigation
- FBI and other law enforcement agencies were involved
- Reported harm
- No injuries reported; no arrests reported
5 sources
Law enforcement searches Illinois plant after 'credible threat' of explosive device
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Bomb Found at Ethanol Plant in Peoria, Ill., Mayor Says
What people are saying
This is a credible threat.
We understand that this is a disruptive process for our residents and guests,
It is real – this is a real thing,
We will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice,