Illinois State Police Photo: Shutterstock State of emergency in the United States this morning (Saturday, November 14): Authorities in Peoria, Illinois, are responding to a serious security incident after detecting an explosive device at the BioUrja Renewables industrial plant. The city police ordered a widespread evacuation of residents and businesses; roads were blocked, and security and emergency forces were called to the scene.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali confirmed during a press conference that authorities had identified a bomb at the complex, calling the threat credible.
Ali warned that at this point, authorities do not know if there are additional explosive devices in the factory.
According to her, it is possible that the discovered explosive device had already been neutralized, but at the time of delivery, there was no final confirmation of this.
Peoria Police issued an immediate evacuation order for anyone living or working within a one-mile radius, about 1.6 kilometers, of the plant located at 1 Edmund Street.
The police statement said the evacuation was a precautionary measure while security forces conduct inspections and searches of the complex.
Residents were instructed not to return to the area until authorities gave further notice.
Most roads in the area were closed to traffic, and the public was asked to avoid the area and cooperate with emergency forces.
The evacuation orders also affected parts of the nearby city of East Peoria, which is across the Illinois River.
Local authorities published an evacuation map and instructed residents in the marked area to leave immediately.
Despite the mayor's confirmation that a bomb was detected, authorities are still investigating whether it was a single device or whether there are additional devices in the complex.
A Peoria police statement said security forces are conducting a thorough search and inspection of the factory to ensure public safety.
So far, no official details have been provided about what led to the incident or the circumstances surrounding the explosives' location.
The incident also reached the office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who announced that he was closely monitoring developments.
The governor said he had instructed the Illinois State Police to coordinate their activities with local authorities and assist in handling the incident.
Pritzker called on the public to obey the instructions of law enforcement officials and stay away from the area.
East Peoria Mayor John Kahl also commented on the incident and made it clear that authorities are taking the threat very seriously.
Following the evacuation orders, a reception center was opened at the Manual Academy complex, at 811 South Griswold Street in Peoria.
Authorities in East Peoria have referred residents in need of a safe place to stay to the EastSide Centre.
The police statement emphasized that residents must continue to obey the instructions of the emergency forces and avoid returning to the area until further notice.
As of the last official update found this morning, no announcement has been made confirming that the scans have been completed, that the bomb has been finally neutralized, or that the evacuation orders have been lifted.
The authorities continue to update the public on developments, while the main questions remain open: are there additional charges, and what is behind the unusual security incident?