East Peoria orders one-mile evacuation after bomb threat at BioUrja Renewables plant in Illinois

Police investigate suspicious package at BioUrja Renewables plant as officials urge residents in parts of Peoria and East Peoria to leave immediately.

Police ordered a mandatory evacuation covering a one-mile radius around the BioUrja Renewables plant in Peoria, Illinois, CBS reported. This came after authorities received a bomb threat and began investigating a suspicious package at the ethanol and alcohol production facility.

Police investigate suspicious package at ethanol production facility as officials urge residents and businesses in parts of Peoria and East Peoria to leave immediately. (Unsplash )

Officials urged residents and businesses in parts of Peoria and neighbouring East Peoria to leave the area immediately while officers searched the site.

The evacuation remained in effect “until further notice” as bomb technicians and emergency responders examined the facility to determine whether the threat was credible. Police said they issued the order “out of an abundance of caution” to protect the public while the investigation continued.

This story is being updated.