Massive panic in central Illinois after a bomb with a reported one-mile blast radius was discovered near the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant in Peoria, triggering a major evacuation. Police described the threat as credible, forcing hundreds of residents and businesses within a one-mile radius to leave the area as state, federal and local law enforcement agencies rushed to investigate.
The discovery raised serious concerns because the industrial facility houses ethanol and highly combustible chemicals. The FBI also joined the investigation, with authorities searching for additional devices and evidence. Bomb technicians eventually rendered the device safe, and the evacuation order was lifted. No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made so far.