Evacuation order lifted after bomb found near ethanol plant in central Illinois

An evacuation order that forced hundreds of people from their homes near an industrial site in central Illinois was lifted Saturday after law enforcement agencies completed a search of the area, authorities said.

A bomb was discovered Friday afternoon at the BioUrja Renewables facility in Peoria. Police said the device had been “rendered safe,” but authorities ordered residents within a 1-mile radius to evacuate while the surrounding area was searched.

State, federal and local law enforcement conducted an extensive search at the facility and “they have found no other items of concern,” the Peoria Police Department said on its Facebook account on Saturday. “Residents are now free to return to their homes in the area that was affected,” the police said, adding that all roads will be opened and the investigation will continue.

FBI Special Agent Ryan Presley said his agency was investigating, but declined to provide further details.

“We will work tirelessly to identify the individual responsible and bring them to justice,” he said.

No arrests have been made at this time, and no injuries have been reported.

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali told WMBD-TV on Friday that BioUrja is “a plant that has ethanol and highly combustible types of…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health