Explosive Device at Peoria Ethanol Plant Rendered Safe as Evacuations Continue Into Saturday
Explosive Device at Peoria Ethanol Plant Rendered Safe as Evacuations Continue Into Saturday
Police in Peoria, Illinois, say an explosive device found at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant was rendered safe late Friday night, but the one-mile evacuation around the facility remains in effect Saturday as bomb technicians keep searching the large plant for additional devices.
The update follows the bomb threat at BioUrja Renewables that forced the evacuation on Friday night.
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said at an early Saturday morning news conference that the device was rendered safe around 9:15 p.m. Friday. He stressed, however, that the BioUrja facility has not been cleared, and the search will take more time.
How the Threat Unfolded on Friday
The scare began Friday afternoon when BioUrja notified Peoria police at 1:08 p.m. that the company had received a bomb threat. A suspicious package was received at the plant around 2 p.m., and by 6:45 p.m. authorities determined it represented a credible threat.
At 7:02 p.m., police ordered everyone living or working within one mile of the plant at 1 Edmund Street to evacuate immediately. Interstate 74 was shut in both directions, and the Peoria Civic Center was evacuated, forcing the cancellation of country singer Jon Pardi’s concert on Friday night.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali confirmed that authorities had discovered a bomb at the complex. “A device has been identified. We know it’s a credible threat. We know it’s a bomb,” Ali said. She warned that investigators could not yet determine whether additional devices were present.
Evacuations Continue as Search Goes On
About 70 people spent the night at Manual Academy, the city’s designated evacuation shelter, Dixon said at a news conference at 12:40 a.m. Saturday.
The FBI is assisting in the investigation. Ryan Presley, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Springfield office, said federal agents were asked to help Peoria police and are working alongside multiple law enforcement agencies.
No arrest has been announced, and police have not said how the threat was made or who may be responsible.
Background: A Plant at the Heart of Peoria
BioUrja Renewables operates the former ADM ethanol plant on Edmund Street in south Peoria, near the Illinois River and close to downtown — which is why the one-mile evacuation radius disrupted so much of the city on Friday night. Friday was a difficult day for emergency response across the United States: hours earlier, a nationwide ground stop halted flights across the country before it was lifted on Friday night.
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Why This Matters
The update brings partial relief — the device that triggered Friday’s mass evacuation is no longer an immediate threat — but it does not end the emergency. Until bomb technicians finish searching the sprawling industrial site, thousands of residents and workers cannot return home, and officials cannot rule out more devices.
Latest Developments
Peoria police plan to brief the media again around noon on Saturday. East Peoria officials promised another update no later than 9 a.m. Saturday. Authorities are urging anyone inside the one-mile radius to stay away until further notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the bomb at the Peoria plant defused?
Yes. Police Chief Brad Dixon said the explosive device found at BioUrja Renewables was rendered safe around 9:15 p.m. on Friday. But the facility has not been declared safe, because technicians are still searching it for additional devices.
Is the evacuation order still in effect?
Yes. The one-mile evacuation radius around the plant at 1 Edmund Street remains in effect on Saturday, and police say it will likely continue into the afternoon.
Has anyone been arrested?
No. As of Saturday morning, police had not announced any arrest and had not said how the threat was made. The FBI is assisting Peoria police with the investigation.
What to Watch Next
The next official update is expected at the Peoria police briefing around noon on Saturday. Residents should watch for word on when the evacuation will be lifted, whether the search finds anything else, and whether investigators identify a suspect or a motive.
Sources: 1027 Super Hits (https://1027superhits.com/2026/11/14/peoria-police-explosive-device-rendered-safe-at-biourja-evacuations-to-continue-saturday/), Demokratis (https://demokratis.co.id/en/peoria-biourja-bomb-threat-evacuations), Passport News (https://passport.news/article/4901), 1049 The Wolf (https://www.1049thewolf.com/2026/11/14/peoria-police-explosive-device-rendered-safe-at-biourja-evacuations-to-continue-saturday/)
