Bomb Found at Peoria Ethanol Plant Prompts One-Mile Evacuation
Authorities in Peoria, Illinois, found a bomb at the BioUrja Renewables plant, an ethanol and alcohol production facility, prompting a mandatory evacuation of a one-mile zone that covers sections of Peoria and the adjacent city of East Peoria. The Guardian reported the discovery.
Peoria police announced at about 7:05pm local time on Friday that officers were investigating a reported bomb threat at the site. They urged anyone living or working within a one-mile radius to evacuate immediately, until further notice. The city of Peoria offered Manual Academy school as a temporary shelter for evacuees.
Mayor Rita Ali confirmed that the threat was real and said officials know it is a bomb. The municipal government of East Peoria acknowledged that the evacuation zone extends into part of its city, and said evacuations would remain in place pending an update expected at about 9am Saturday.
Early Saturday, Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said bomb technicians had rendered the object in question safe. Investigators are searching the BioUrja Renewables facility for other explosive devices.
The FBI's Springfield, Illinois, field office, part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is involved in the case. Its operation is led by Ryan Presley, who said agents would pursue those responsible tirelessly.
