Peoria police urge evacuations after ‘credible’ bomb threat at Illinois plant

(ABC) — Police in Peoria, Illinois, are investigating a “credible” bomb threat at a local plant and are urging anyone who lives or works within a one-mile radius of the facility to evacuate immediately.

The Peoria Police Department said the evacuation recommendation was issued as a precaution while officers and emergency personnel investigated the threat at BioUrja Renewables.

Police determined at about 6:45 p.m. local time Friday that a package at the facility was a credible threat and established a one-mile blast radius, officials said.

Bomb technicians rendered the package safe at about 9:12 p.m. local time, according to police.

However, authorities said a thorough search of the large facility was expected to continue into Saturday, likely until late afternoon. Officials said they were not treating the incident as a hoax.

“When a bomb threat comes in, typically, it’s not legitimate, and they’re doing it to cause an evacuation of a building or something like that,” Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon said at a press conference late Friday. “This is not the case here. We found a credible package that we deem to be a threat. This is … this is not. We’re not considering this a hoax.”

Authorities have closed most streets in the area and are urging the public to avoid the one-mile radius around the facility until further notice.

Residents and businesses within the designated area are being asked to cooperate with emergency personnel and stay away from the area until further notice.

“I am actively monitoring the bomb threat in Peoria, and I have directed the Illinois State Police to coordinate with local authorities,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement on social media. “Please follow directions from law enforcement and stay clear of the area.”

Country music singer Jon Pardi’s concert in Peoria was also canceled because of its proximity to the bomb threat.

Pardi posted a message to his 1 million Instagram followers Friday night, saying, “Peoria, we’re disappointed that we won’t get to spend tonight with you, but the safety of our fans, our team and the community is always the priority. At the discretion of the Chief of Police, tonight’s concert has been canceled due to an active local safety concern. Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe.”