BREAKING: Panic Ensues After Credible Bomb Threat At Ethanol Plant Forces Massive Evacuation In Peoria, IL
Peoria police are investigating a reported bomb threat at the BioUrja Renewables ethanol plant, and authorities have ordered an evacuation within a one mile radius of the facility at 1 Edmund Street.
Police said the plant, the former Archer Daniels Midland site, is the focus of an active search. Anyone living or working within one mile is urged to evacuate immediately and remain away until further notice. The zone covers parts of Peoria and East Peoria, crossing the Illinois River.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said Friday night that authorities had identified a device at the plant. “A device has been identified. We know it is a credible threat. We know it is a bomb,” Ali said. She added that the device may have been deactivated, but she could not say for sure. “We do not know if there are other devices,” she said.
“A device has been identified. We know it’s a credible threat. We know it’s a bomb. Yes” Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said at a press conference earlier this evening giving an update on the situation at the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria.
A large section of downtown Peoria remains on… pic.twitter.com/R45KPXogFP
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 14, 2026
ATF Special Agent/Certified Explosives Specialists from the Chicago field office are on scene at the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria, Illinois.
At an earlier press conference, Peoria mayor Rita Ali confirmed at least one device had been located saying “We know it’s a bomb…we… https://t.co/0vuYPZ7vBJ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 14, 2026
The bomb threat in Peoria, IL was in the form of an email received around noon on Friday. A portion of it stated: “they will blow in 12 hours, good luck finding them all”.
If there are multiple bombs and they are on remote relays, this could be a very serious issue.
— Scott (@EODWX5) November 14, 2026
ATF special agents and Certified Explosives Specialists from the Chicago Field Division responded and are currently on scene. Local, state, and federal authorities are also assisting, and Illinois State Police are helping with traffic control.
Interstate 74 is shut down in both directions through Peoria, according to Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins. He urged drivers to use Interstate 474 to bypass the city. Numerous ramps from Interstate 74 into Peoria are also closed, and most streets inside the evacuation area are closed.
Entire Peoria Illinois downtown is on LOCKDOWN! Bomb found. More possible bombs planted. CRAZY! pic.twitter.com/gRjs4z7Kbn
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) November 14, 2026
Shelters are open at Manual Academy, 811 South Griswold Street in Peoria, and at EastSide Centre, 1 EastSide Drive in East Peoria. BioUrja purchased the Peoria site from Archer Daniels Midland in late 2021. The plant produces ethanol. Police said the evacuation was issued out of an abundance of caution while officers search the facility. No suspect has been identified, and officials said another update will come no later than 9 a.m. Saturday.
This is a developing story….