Thousands of residents in Southern California remain unable to return to their homes, even as emergency crews report progress in cooling a damaged chemical tank at an aerospace plant. The Orange County Fire Authority said on Monday that while the immediate threat of a catastrophic explosion has largely subsided, risks of fire and a small explosion persist.
Evacuation orders were issued last Thursday for residents near the GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems plant in Garden Grove, after a tank containing between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate began to overheat. Approximately 16,000 of the initial 50,000 evacuees are still awaiting clearance to return home.
The tank's internal temperature had cooled to 93 degrees Fahrenheit (33.9 degrees Celsius) by Monday, down from 100 degrees (37.7 degrees Celsius) the previous day, according to county fire division chief Craig Covey. A crack discovered on Sunday has helped reduce internal pressure. Technical specialists have removed insulation from the tank to aid cooling.
Health officials have reassured residents that no contamination, fumes, or vapours were released. Orange County Health Director Regina Chinsio-Kwong stated, 'There was not a leak. So you should feel comfortable going home even if you’re across the street.' The South Coast Air Quality Management District will monitor air quality for several months, and the EPA will inspect sewers and storm drains for any spills.
Residents expressed mixed feelings. Kim Yen, a retiree living two blocks from the plant, said, 'I am happy, but still, we are still on our evacuation.' She praised emergency crews as 'our heroes.' A park in Fountain Valley has served as an ad hoc shelter for evacuees.
Purdue University engineering professor Andrew Whelton warned that an explosion risk remains while the chemical is hot and reactive, and temperatures need to drop closer to 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 21.1 degrees Celsius) for conditions to be significantly safer. GKN Aerospace, a British company, apologised for the disruption and said its priority is the safe resolution of the incident.
