A bomb was discovered near an ethanol plant in central Illinois, triggering the evacuation of people living near the industrial site as law enforcement investigated, authorities said Saturday.
The bomb was found Friday afternoon at the BioUrja Renewables facility in Peoria. While authorities say the device has since been “made safe,” as of Saturday morning, all residents within a 1-mile radius remained under an evacuation advisory as authorities continued to scour the facility for more bombs and evidence.
In the meantime, shelters have been set up for those displaced by the threat, authorities said.
“This is a credible threat,” Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon told reporters shortly after midnight Saturday. “We need to take the blast radius seriously.”
FBI Special Agent Ryan Pressley said his agency was investigating but declined to provide further details.
“We will work tirelessly to identify those responsible and bring them to justice,” he said.
No arrests have been made at this time and no injuries have been reported.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told WMBD-TV Friday that BioUrja is “a plant that has ethanol and highly combustible types of chemicals, and so that’s what we’re concerned about.”
It is not uncommon for law enforcement to receive bomb threats and suspicious phone calls, but they often do not generate a credible threat, even if these calls are taken seriously by authorities who must evaluate and investigate the allegations.
Earlier this week, hundreds of airline passengers in Europe had their flights diverted or given military escorts after a series of bomb threats that authorities have since declared to be malicious hoaxes.
“We understand that this is a disruptive process for our residents and guests,” Dixon said. “We ask for the public’s patience as we work to make this area safe.”
Peoria, with a population of about 110,000, is located about 150 miles southwest of Chicago.
The BioUrja plant is located along the Illinois River. The company acquired the ethanol plant in 2021.
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