Authorities in Orange County, California, have ordered the evacuation of 40,000 residents due to concerns over a chemical leak at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove. The tank, holding methyl methacrylate, is described as 'actively in crisis' and could either spill or explode.
The issue began on Thursday when the storage tank started off-gassing. After initially lifting evacuation orders, officials reinstated them on Friday as the situation worsened due to a damaged valve. The chemical, used in resins and plastics, is highly flammable.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey stated that the tank could either spill 6,000-7,000 gallons of chemicals or undergo a thermal runaway explosion, potentially affecting nearby tanks. Crews have set up sandbag barriers to contain any spill and prevent the toxic chemical from reaching storm drains or waterways.
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county health officer, warned that if the chemical heats up, it can release harmful vapours causing respiratory issues, eye irritation, nausea, and headaches. Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra noted that about 15% of residents under evacuation orders are refusing to leave. Two shelters have been established.
Evacuation orders cover parts of six cities: Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster. Disneyland's theme parks, located less than a mile away, are not under evacuation orders. GKN Aerospace is a subsidiary of a British corporation.
