Evacuation Orders Expanded for 40,000 Near Leaking Chemical Tank in Garden Grove

More than 40,000 people were placed under evacuation orders Friday in Garden Grove and five neighboring cities after a storage tank at an aerospace facility overheated and began venting a hazardous chemical. The tank holds between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly volatile, toxic and flammable substance used to make plastic parts.

Officials said the tank is actively in crisis and cannot be secured.

Firefighters responded Thursday afternoon after a hazardous-materials call at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove. The temperature inside one of three tanks rose several hours later, activating a relief valve and sprinkler system. Crews initially made progress neutralizing one tank but determined Friday morning that the remaining tank could not be secured.

Officials expanded evacuation orders to parts of Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster. Garden Grove Fire Chief Craig Covey said at a Friday afternoon news conference that the tank faces two possible outcomes.

“There are literally two options left remaining: one, the tank fails and spills a total of about 6- to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot... Officials set up containment barriers with sandbags to prevent any spill from reaching storm drains or nearby waterways. Covey said there is currently no active gas leak or plume and air monitoring continues. Residents outside the evacuation zone were advised to stay indoors. Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein urged compliance with the orders.”

“We understand that this is frightening. But the evacuation orders are in place for your safety.”

No injuries have been reported. The cause of the temperature increase remains under investigation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed, and the state Office of Emergency Services said it is monitoring the situation and has deployed personnel.