A bomb found at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois was rendered safe by bomb technicians, Police Chief Brad Dixon said at a news conference early on Saturday, and investigators were still searching the facility for other devices. Police announced a reported bomb threat at the plant at about 7:05 p.m. on Friday and ordered everyone who lives or works within a one mile radius to evacuate, a zone covering parts of Peoria and East Peoria that remained in place on Saturday morning, with Manual Academy school offered as a temporary shelter. Mayor Rita Ali said the device was real and not a hoax, the FBI said its Springfield field office is investigating, and no injuries or arrests were reported.
Bomb found at Peoria ethanol plant prompts mile-wide evacuation
A bomb found at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois was rendered safe by bomb technicians, officials said on Saturday, with a one mile evacuation zone still in place and the FBI investigating.
Why it matters: The plant is an ethanol and alcohol production site, and a live device there forced a mile wide evacuation across two cities while investigators search the facility for any further devices.
Data as of The Guardian report of November 14, 2026, read in full via the estate browser route, reporting Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, Police Chief Brad Dixon and FBI Springfield field office agent Ryan Presley on the record. Single publisher source, so this item is graded C. Developing item.
Sources
- Bomb found at Illinois ethanol plant, prompting evacuations - The Guardian - 2026-11-14