Peoria residents evacuated after bomb found at BioUrja plant

Residents within one mile of the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, remained under evacuation notice Saturday morning. The order followed the discovery of a bomb at the facility along the Illinois River on Friday afternoon. Law enforcement agencies continue to search the site for additional devices or evidence while the area stays restricted.

Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon described the incident as a credible threat just after midnight Saturday. "We need to take the blast radius seriously," Dixon told reporters. Shelters are currently open for people displaced by the evacuation. The plant, located about 150 miles southwest of Chicago, produces ethanol and houses highly combustible chemicals, which Mayor Rita Ali said raised the level of alarm for the city.

The BioUrja plant was acquired by its current owners in 2021. Dixon noted that the disruption affects both residents and visitors. "We understand that this is a disruptive process for our residents and guests," he said. "We're asking for the public's patience while we work to make this area safe." Peoria has a population of approximately 110,000.

FBI Special Agent Ryan Pressley confirmed his agency is leading the investigation. He declined to share specific details about the device or the suspect. "We will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice," Pressley said. No arrests have been made, and no injuries have been reported as of Saturday morning.

Officials stated the bomb has been rendered safe. However, the evacuation notice remained in effect while crews scoured the facility. This event follows a series of bomb threats in Europe earlier this week, where airline passengers faced diversions or military escorts before officials declared the threats hoaxes. Police in Peoria treat such calls seriously, assessing each claim to determine if it constitutes a credible threat.

The discovery on Friday afternoon triggered the initial response. By Saturday, the focus shifted to securing the site and determining the origin of the device. The intersection of industrial activity and the residential areas nearby defined the scope of the evacuation. Authorities monitor the perimeter closely as the investigation proceeds without a suspect in custody.

The situation stands as a major disruption for the central Illinois community. The combination of the plant's chemical inventory and the proximity to homes required a swift and broad response. Officials maintain that the priority is safety for those living in the designated zone. The search for the individual responsible continues with no new leads announced publicly by the end of Saturday morning.