Peoria Evacuates Mile-Wide Zone Over Bomb Found at Ethanol Plant

Police in Peoria, Illinois, urged everyone living or working within one mile of the BioUrja Renewables plant to evacuate after officials said a package at the facility was a credible bomb threat. Bomb technicians made the device safe, but ABC News and NBC News reported that a search of the large site was continuing and the evacuation remained in place.

Here is what is known so far, based on reports from ABC News and NBC News.

What happened at the plant?

ABC News reported that police determined at about 6:45 p.m. Friday that a package at the facility, formerly an ADM plant, was a credible threat and set a one-mile blast radius. Bomb technicians rendered the package safe at about 9:12 p.m., according to ABC.

NBC News described the plant as an ethanol facility and said police and federal authorities reported early Saturday that they had found a device deemed a credible threat and made it safe. Authorities did not describe the device.

Mayor Rita Ali told NBC affiliate WEEK that the response involved every available resource. She said officials knew the threat was credible and that, in her words, “We know it’s a bomb.”

Is the area safe now?

Not yet, according to Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon. He told a press conference that the area had not been declared safe and that investigators would need to search the entire property. NBC reported that he declined to say how many items were found or where.

ABC reported that the search of the facility was expected to continue into Saturday, likely until late afternoon. FBI Special Agent Ryan Presley said FBI personnel, working with local and state police, had determined a suspicious package was a threat and rendered it safe.

Do police think it was a hoax?

No. Dixon said at a late Friday news conference that bomb threats are usually not legitimate and are often made to force an evacuation. In this case, he said, officers found a credible package they consider a threat, and police are not treating the incident as a hoax.

Who has to evacuate, and where can people go?

Police are urging anyone within the one-mile radius to leave and to stay away until further notice. ABC reported that authorities closed most streets in the area and asked residents and businesses to cooperate with emergency personnel.

NBC reported that Peoria Emanuel High School was designated as the shelter for evacuees, which is just south of downtown Peoria. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat from Illinois, met with evacuees there Friday night and urged people inside the radius to leave.

Gov. JB Pritzker said on social media that he was monitoring the situation and had directed the Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities. He asked people to follow law enforcement directions and stay clear of the area.

What else has been affected?

Country singer Jon Pardi's Friday night concert at the Peoria Civic Center was canceled at the direction of the police chief because of the threat's proximity, according to both outlets. NBC reported that Pardi said tickets would be refunded.

Dozer Park, home of the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball team, also canceled a holiday event, NBC reported. The nearby OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center said it was taking all appropriate precautions and would keep monitoring the situation.

What does this mean for people in Peoria?

For residents and workers near the plant, the practical effect is disruption: homes and businesses inside the one-mile zone are under an evacuation recommendation, most streets nearby are closed, and events in the area have been called off.

Officials have not said when people will be allowed back. ABC reported that the search is expected to run into Saturday afternoon, and authorities say the public should avoid the zone until they announce otherwise. Reports differ slightly on timing and wording, with ABC citing Friday night events and NBC citing early Saturday statements, but both say the evacuation remains in effect while the search continues.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by ABC News, NBC News, CBS News