A suspicious device at an ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, triggered a temporary evacuation request for those within a 1-mile radius, with events cancelled Friday.
An evacuation recommendation for those within that 1-mile radius after Friday afternoon’s discovery at the BioUrja Renewables facility was lifted Saturday, according to Peoria police.
Police and federal authorities said early Saturday that they had found a device deemed a “credible threat” and rendered it safe, without giving details as to its nature.
A search by federal, state and local authorities turned up no other devices, but an investigation into Friday’s discovery was ongoing, police said in a statement on Saturday.
“We will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice,” FBI Special Agent Ryan Presley said separately.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told NBC affiliate WEEK there was an “all hands on deck” response, saying: “A device has been identified. We know it’s a credible threat. We know it’s a bomb.”
Presley told media that FBI personnel, along with local and state police, had determined a “suspicious package was a threat and rendered it safe.”
Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., met with evacuees at Peoria Manual High School on Friday night.
“This is the designated shelter area for those that are impacted by the evacuation that’s going on just south of downtown Peoria,” he said in an update. “What we do need to make sure is that everybody’s making good decisions.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker had urged locals to “follow directions from law enforcement and stay clear of the area.”
Country music singer Jon Pardi was forced to cancel his show scheduled for Friday evening at the Peoria Civic Center.
“At the direction of the Chief of Police, tonight’s concert has been canceled due to an active local safety concern,” he posted on Instagram, adding that tickets would be refunded.
The weekend’s Illinois Comic Con at Peoria Civic Center canceled its Saturday events but said after the evacuation all-clear was issued that its Sunday plans were still scheduled.
Peoria’s Caterpillar Visitors Center, Riverfront Museum, Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe, and Main Library and Lincoln Branch library were also closed on Saturday, those venues each said on Facebook.
Dozer Park, home of the minor league baseball team the Peoria Chiefs, also canceled a holiday event at the venue.
The nearby OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center said it was “taking all appropriate precautions in response to the situation in downtown Peoria.” A statement said: “We will continue to monitor the situation and take any additional steps necessary to maintain a safe environment for those we serve and those who work at our facilities.”
In 2021, Houston-based BioUrja, which has described itself as an energy, agricultural and metals commodity trading company, purchased the former ADM (Archer-Daniels-Midland) ethanol production complex in Peoria. BioUrja CEO Amit Bhandari said at the time the facility would help it expand its presence in beverage-grade and highly-distilled industrial alcohol markets.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
