Damaged Chemical Tank Prompts Evacuation of 50,000 in Garden Grove

A storage tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, California, overheated Thursday and began venting vapors, prompting an evacuation order for more than 50,000 residents. The tank holds between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a flammable liquid used to manufacture plastic parts for aircraft.

Officials said the tank's drainage valves stopped working, raising the possibility of either a large spill or an explosion.

Firefighters began spraying the tank with water to keep its temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Orange County Fire Authority interim chief TJ McGovern said crews planned an overnight operation to check whether pressure had been relieved. The agency later reported one known crack in the tank and stated continuous atmospheric monitoring showed no active leak.

Containment barriers were placed to prevent any spill from reaching storm drains or nearby waterways. Democratic state Sen. Purdue University engineering professor Andrew Whelton noted that a controlled release could reduce the chance of explosion. >"If you leave it in a hot car it can explode.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin said the most likely outcome is a low-volume release that officials can monitor and contain. GKN Aerospace said it continues to work with local authorities. No injuries have been reported, and Disneyland theme parks in nearby Anaheim remain outside the evacuation zone.