Garden Grove Chemical Tank Temperature Rises Despite Cooling Efforts

Orange County fire officials said Saturday that a tank holding methyl methacrylate at a Garden Grove facility had increased in temperature despite earlier cooling attempts. OCFA Division Chief Craig Covey told reporters the tank rose from 77 degrees to 90 degrees after measurements taken by drone captured only the exterior surface rather than the liquid inside.

Division Chief Nick Freeman said Friday that blast zones around the tank would be divided into severe, moderate, and light categories. The severe zone would produce severe structural damage and significant harm, the moderate zone would cause structural damage and some harm, and the light zone would result in limited structural damage.

An additional set of zones marked in red, orange, and yellow above the tank indicate chemical hazards. The red zone represents areas at risk of fire or flash fires, the orange zone could cause injury from inhalation, and the yellow zone marks locations where residents might smell vapors without danger.

Health Guidance Issued Dr.

Regina Chinsio-Kwong said at the news conference that the chemical produces a strong fruity odor. She added that smelling the odor does not mean a person will experience symptoms and that measured air levels do not necessarily indicate danger. " — Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, news conference Heavy exposure could cause severe respiratory distress and hospitalization, officials said.

About 40,000 people have evacuated the area, though roughly 15 percent of contacted residents have declined to leave. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Orange County. The facility belongs to UK-based GKN Aerospace, which employs about 540 workers at the site designing and testing aircraft windows and military canopies, including components for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.