PEORIA (Azat TV) – Authorities in Peoria, Illinois, ordered a mandatory one-mile evacuation zone on Friday after discovering a confirmed explosive device at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol- and alcohol-production plant, according to The Guardian. The discovery triggered a significant emergency response across Peoria and the adjacent municipality of East Peoria, forcing residents and businesses within the radius to clear the area immediately.
“It is real – this is a real thing,” Peoria mayor Rita Ali told local news outlet WMBD, emphasizing that officials confirmed the device was an actual threat rather than a hoax. The Peoria Police Department initially announced they were investigating a suspicious package at about 7:05 pm local time on Friday before escalating the response as federal and local authorities verified the presence of the explosive.
Emergency Evacuations and Shelter Operations
The mandatory evacuation zone encompassed sections of both Peoria and neighboring East Peoria. Local municipal governments and emergency services directed affected individuals to utilize the Manual Academy school as a temporary shelter, while law enforcement personnel assisted residents and workers needing help evacuating their homes and businesses.
In a joint briefing early Saturday morning, Illinois state senator Dave Koehler reinforced the gravity of the situation for the public. “This is not a hoax,” Koehler said during the news conference. “This has gone beyond that … This is serious. This is serious.”
Bomb Neutralization and Ongoing Facility Searches
Speaking at the Saturday news conference reported by local outlet WEEK, Peoria police chief Brad Dixon confirmed that bomb technicians had successfully rendered the specific device safe. However, authorities cautioned that the danger has not fully passed.
Police and federal agents have continued an exhaustive sweep of the expansive industrial facility. “We don’t know if there are other devices,” Mayor Ali remarked regarding the ongoing security operations. Dixon asked for public patience as officers examine every corner of the BioUrja Renewals property.
Federal Investigation and Inter-Agency Response
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has stepped in to lead the criminal probe alongside local police departments. Ryan Presley, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Springfield, Illinois, stated that federal agents will pursue whoever is responsible “tirelessly” and “bring them to justice”.
Friday’s incident occurred during a particularly turbulent day across the United States, which included a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop affecting thousands of flights and a major river collision in New Orleans involving a tanker and a cruise ship. Local and federal law enforcement in Illinois remain focused on securing the BioUrja facility and determining the origin of the explosive device.