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Peoria Residents Return Home After Bomb Squad Clears Suspicious Package Near BioUrja Ethanol Plant
A day-long evacuation order was lifted Saturday afternoon after police rendered safe a suspicious package found near the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, though an exhaustive search of the facility continued and no suspect has been identified.
PEORIA, Ill. â Residents and businesses within a one-mile radius of the BioUrja ethanol plant were allowed to return home and reopen Saturday afternoon, roughly 23 hours after a suspicious package discovered near the facility triggered a mandatory evacuation and a multi-agency response.
The city of East Peoria announced that the evacuation zone was lifted as of 1 p.m. local time, saying residents could return to their homes and all businesses could resume normal operations.
Peoria police said the package was found near the plant at approximately 2 p.m. Friday. Hours later, authorities determined it constituted a credible threat. Police Chief Brad Dixon told reporters Saturday that the device was rendered safe at 9:12 p.m. Friday, but that the investigation was far from over.
"The area of BioUrja has not been rendered safe, just the package that was on site. It's a large facility; there's going to be an exhaustive search," Dixon said at a press conference. He added that there was still "no explanation on what the device was" and that the investigation remains ongoing.
The FBI deployed personnel to assist the Peoria Police Department, Peoria Fire Department, Peoria County Sheriff's Department, the Illinois Secretary of State's Office and Illinois State Police. Special Agent Ryan Presley said the agencies are pursuing the case aggressively.
"We are currently investigating this incident with all of our partners. While it is early in the investigation, know this: we will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice," Presley said.
Gov. JB Pritzker said on social media that he was monitoring the situation and had directed Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities.
The scare drew particular alarm because of what the plant handles. Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told local media late Friday that the facility is "a plant that has ethanol and highly combustible types of chemicals, and so that's what alarms us." The BioUrja plant sits along the Illinois River in the southern part of the city, about 75 miles north of Springfield and 150 miles southwest of Chicago.
The Peoria Police Department advised residents needing shelter to go to nearby Manual Academy. Country music singer Jon Pardi canceled a concert scheduled in the area Friday night, telling fans, "Peoria we're disappointed we won't get to spend tonight with you..."
Police said updates would be provided as the investigation proceeds. No arrests have been announced, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspect.