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What Happened in the Peoria Bomb Threat? Bomb Found at BioUrja Plant
Published Nov 14, 2026
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What Happened in the Peoria Bomb Threat? Bomb Found at BioUrja Plant
In-Depth Investigation & Reporting
What Happened in the Peoria Bomb Threat? Bomb Found at BioUrja Plant
A bomb was found at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois, on Friday, November 13, 2026, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 5,000 people from nearby neighborhoods. Bomb technicians rendered the device safe, but the evacuation remained in effect on Saturday as police and federal investigators searched the facility for additional explosives.
The discovery turned what initially appeared to be a bomb threat into a confirmed explosive-device investigation.
How was the bomb discovered at BioUrja?
Police were notified of the threat at approximately 1:08 p.m. Friday after BioUrja Renewables alerted authorities.
The facility is located at 1 Edmund Street in Peoria and was formerly operated as an ADM plant.
Authorities investigated a suspicious package at the facility and determined that it contained an actual explosive device.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali confirmed the discovery during a news conference Friday night.
The mayor said officials knew the threat was credible and confirmed that a bomb had been identified. However, she warned that investigators did not yet know whether additional devices were present.
Was the bomb at the Peoria plant deactivated?
Yes. Bomb technicians rendered the identified device safe after several hours of work.
Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said the process took just over seven hours after the company first notified police.
However, making the device safe did not mean the entire facility had been cleared.
Investigators continued searching the large industrial complex for other possible explosive devices. Authorities had not announced that the site was completely safe.
Why were thousands of people evacuated in Peoria?
Police ordered everyone living or working within a one-mile radius of the BioUrja plant to evacuate because of the potential blast danger.
The evacuation affected parts of Peoria and neighboring East Peoria, with more than 5,000 residents and workers ordered to leave the area.
Authorities closed several roads and asked the public to stay away from the affected zone.
Manual Academy in Peoria was designated as an evacuation shelter, while EastSide Centre served as a shelter for people evacuating from East Peoria.
Is the Peoria evacuation order still in effect?
As of Saturday morning, November 14, the evacuation order remained in effect.
Although the identified device had been rendered safe, police were continuing their search for additional explosives inside the BioUrja facility.
Police Chief Brad Dixon said the search was extensive because of the size of the plant.
Authorities planned further public updates as the investigation and safety checks continued.
Residents were instructed to follow local police and emergency-management announcements rather than return to the evacuation zone without official clearance.
Is the FBI investigating the BioUrja bomb threat?
Yes. The FBI's Springfield office joined local authorities in investigating the incident.
Ryan Presley, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Springfield office, said investigators would work to identify whoever was responsible.
Authorities had not publicly disclosed a motive or announced an arrest in the initial updates.
The investigation was still developing on Saturday.
What happened to businesses and events in downtown Peoria?
The evacuation and road closures disrupted businesses and activities around the plant.
Caterpillar instructed employees not to report for its third shift on Friday night because of the safety situation.
OSF HealthCare St. Francis Medical Center said it was taking precautions and coordinating with local authorities.
Country music singer Jon Pardi's scheduled concert in Peoria was also cancelled because of the active safety situation.
What is known about the Peoria bomb threat?
Authorities confirmed that an actual explosive device was found at BioUrja Renewables, that bomb technicians rendered it safe, and that the FBI was assisting the investigation.
However, the search for additional devices was still underway, the evacuation order remained active, and officials had not disclosed who was responsible.
The immediate priority remained clearing the facility and ensuring that residents and workers could safely return.
Sources:
- 25News Now – Evacuation order still in effect as investigators search for other explosives at Peoria's BioUrja plant
- CNN – Bomb found at ethanol plant in Illinois, forcing evacuations
- CBS Chicago – Bomb threat prompts mandatory evacuation order in Peoria
- ABC News – Peoria police urge evacuations after reported bomb threat
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