Bomb Threat Triggers Evacuation Around Peoria Plant

Authorities ordered people living or working no farther than a mile from BioUrja Renewables’ Peoria facility to leave while emergency crews investigated a bomb threat at the ethanol and alcohol facility. The order covered areas of neighboring East Peoria, and officials urged residents to treat the threat as serious. A suspicious package was found at or near the plant on Southwest Washington Street.

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said the threat was real and called on everyone in the zone to evacuate. East Peoria Mayor John Kahl also said the city was taking the matter seriously. A shelter was set up at Manual Academy, located on South Griswold Street in Peoria; about 50 people had gathered there shortly after midnight, officials said.

Interstate 74 was closed in both directions through Peoria, with drivers directed to use Interstate 474 as a bypass. Bridges over the Illinois River and the river itself were also shut down, according to reports. Local businesses closed, and city police and fire crews, state police and East Peoria police responded. The FBI, Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security also arrived to assist.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he had directed state police to coordinate with local authorities and urged the public to follow law enforcement instructions and stay away. East Peoria said evacuations would remain in effect until at least 9 a.m. on November 14. Police said officers were searching the facility and assessing the threat.