A bomb was discovered at the BioUrja Renewables facility in Peoria on Friday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and workers.
The discovery prompted a major emergency response along the Illinois River. Local officials established a 1-mile blast radius around the industrial site, which spans several floors and covers more than 44 football fields, according to CNN reporting.
Authorities lifted the evacuation order on Saturday afternoon after law enforcement agencies completed an extensive search of the sprawling property, Boston.com reported. Police and bomb technicians confirmed that the device had been rendered safe and that no additional items of concern were located.
The threat affected thousands of people living and working near Peoria’s downtown area. Overnight, police officers conducted door-to-door notifications to ensure residents cleared the designated blast zone.
Emergency responders set up temporary shelters for displaced individuals at Manual Academy High School in Peoria and the EastSide Centre sports complex in East Peoria.
Peoria has been given the all-clear. Thank you to our tireless law enforcement officers and first responders on call who worked around the clock to keep Peoria safe. And thank you to the community for coming together to support one another at a time like this. https://t.co/qrszAxXQpG
State and federal agencies quickly mobilized to support local responders. Illinois State Police managed traffic control operations, implementing multiple ramp closures along Interstate 74.
Law enforcement officials stressed that the explosive device posed an immediate, verified danger rather than a standard hoax. BioUrja Renewables acquired the central Illinois ethanol plant in 2021.
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said, “This is a credible threat. We need to take the blast radius seriously.”
Mayor Rita Ali said that the presence of ethanol and highly combustible chemicals at the facility drove the urgent safety protocols. While no injuries were reported and no arrests have been made, federal investigators are actively pursuing leads.
“We will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice.”
said Ryan Presley, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Springfield office.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also deployed certified explosive specialists to assist the Peoria Police Department. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard established a temporary safety zone to restrict vessel traffic on the adjacent Illinois River during the emergency response.
