Peoria, Illinois, is under a mandatory evacuation order after a bomb was found at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant on Friday.
The evacuation zone covers a one-mile radius around the facility at 1 Edmund Street, stretching into neighboring East Peoria. “This must be treated as a credible threat. We are asking all people within the one-mile zone to evacuate,” Ali told CBS affiliate WMBD-TV.
Police Order Evacuations Near BioUrja Renewables Plant
The evacuation order was issued at 7:02 p.m. local time on Friday. “The evacuation recommendation is being issued out of an abundance of caution while officers and emergency personnel investigate the threat,” the Peoria Police Department said in a statement. The evacuation order went into effect at 7:02 p.m., with police urging residents and businesses within a one-mile radius of the BioUrja Renewables plant to leave immediately.
Emergency shelters have been established at Manual Academy at 811 S. Griswold Street in Peoria and EastSide Centre in East Peoria. As of early Saturday morning, approximately 70 people were staying at the Manual Academy shelter. The American Red Cross was working to provide beds for those staying at the shelter.
Police Chief Brad Dixon said that bomb technicians had “rendered safe” the device found at the plant around 9:15 p.m. Friday. The company notified authorities at 1:08 p.m. Friday that they had received a bomb threat, and it took technicians more than seven hours to make the package safe.
However, the search for other potential explosives continues, and the evacuation order remains in effect. “Take the blast radius serious,” Dixon urged residents, adding that the facility is large and the search will take time. He confirmed that the evacuation would likely continue into Saturday afternoon.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in the response. The Peoria Police Department, Peoria Fire Department, East Peoria Police Department, and East Peoria Fire Department are on the scene, collaborating with the Illinois State Police, the sheriff’s offices, and the FBI.
The FBI has joined the investigation, with Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley promising to “tirelessly“work to identify those responsible.” We will work to identify the individual responsible,” Presley said at a news conference early Saturday morning.
Access to several areas has been restricted by police vehicles. Access to Dozer Park and the CityLink Downtown Bus Transfer station was restricted by additional police vehicles parked along William Kumpf.
Disruption to City Events
The bomb threat and subsequent evacuation have disrupted several major events in downtown Peoria. A Jon Pardi country music concert at the Peoria Civic Center was canceled. “Tonight's Jon Pardi performance at the Peoria Civic Center has been postponed,” a Facebook post from the venue stated.
The opening night of the Peoria Chiefs’ Holiday Lights at the Ballpark at Dozer Park was also shut down. The event’s general manager, Jason Mott, described the scene.
Tickets for Friday’s event will be valid for any other Holiday Lights at the Ballpark date.
Officials Investigate Possible Multiple Devices at the Plant
Despite the device being rendered safe, officials caution that the threat is not over. Mayor Ali warned that investigators “don't know if there are other devices.” “We don’t know whether there’s one device or whether there’s multiple devices,” she said.
“We don't know if there are other devices,” said Ali. Sorensen suggested that there was possibly more than just one bomb found at the plant. “This is not a hoax. It has gone beyond this. This is very serious,” he added.
The BioUrja plant, formerly an ADM operation, is located at 1 Edmund Street. Authorities have shut down several bridges over the Illinois River. The Illinois River was also shut down while the mayor urged people to leave the 1-mile evacuation zone. County Sheriff Chris Watkins said, “I-74 is shutdown both ways through the city of Peoria. Use 474 to bypass.”
Local businesses and institutions have responded to the crisis. Caterpillar instructed employees not to report for Friday night’s third shift due to the situation. OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center also told 25 News that it is taking precautions and working with local authorities to protect patients, visitors and employees. OSF Life Flight said it was coordinating with authorities and implementing precautionary measures.
East Peoria Mayor John Kahl said officials were treating the incident seriously. “There has been a credible threat and the city is taking it seriously,” Kahl told CBS affiliate WMBD-TV. State Senator David Koehler added, “Here to support the mayor and the people who want to take care of the people. Get out of the area. We'll see what comes tomorrow but get out of the area tonight.”
Peoria Police plan to provide another update to the media at noon on Saturday. East Peoria officials said Friday night that evacuation restrictions would remain in effect and promised another update no later than 9 a.m. Saturday. Peoria Police scheduled another news briefing for noon Saturday.
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