Bomb found near ethanol plant in central Illinois forces evacuations
Authorities in Peoria, Illinois, have evacuated residents near a BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant after a bomb was discovered on the premises. While the device has been rendered safe, the area remains under investigation as officials search for further threats.
Why it matters
The presence of a bomb at a facility containing highly combustible chemicals poses a significant public safety risk to the surrounding community.
A bomb was found near an ethanol plant in central Illinois, sparking evacuations of those who live near the industrial site as law enforcement officials investigate, authorities said Saturday.
The bomb was found Friday afternoon at the BioUrja Renewables facility in Peoria. While officials say the device has since been "rendered safe," as of Saturday morning, all residents within a 1-mile radius remained under an evacuation notice as officials continued to scour the facility for any other bombs and evidence.
Meanwhile, shelters have been set up for those displaced by the threat, authorities said.
"This is a credible threat," Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon told reporters just after midnight Saturday. "We need to take the blast radius seriously."
FBI Special Agent Ryan Pressley said his agency was investigating, but declined to provide further details.
"We will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice," he said.
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