Bomb discovered near Peoria ethanol plant, FBI leads investigation
A bomb found at the BioUrja Renewables facility in Peoria was rendered safe, prompting evacuations and a federal investigation.
Law enforcement officials discovered an explosive device on Friday afternoon at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois. The bomb was subsequently rendered safe, but residents within a one-mile radius remained under evacuation orders as authorities continued to search the site for additional devices and evidence. Shelters were established for displaced individuals.
"This is a credible threat. We need to take the blast radius seriously," Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said after midnight on Saturday.
The FBI took over the investigation, with Special Agent Ryan Pressley stating the agency would work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice. No arrests have been made and no injuries were reported.
"BioUrja is a plant that has ethanol and highly combustible types of chemicals, and so that's what alarms us," Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told WMBD-TV.
Officials emphasized that while bomb threats are not uncommon, each is treated seriously. The incident follows recent bomb threats to European airlines that were later deemed hoaxes. Peoria, a city of about 110,000 located roughly 150 miles southwest of Chicago, continues to cooperate with investigators to ensure public safety.