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Orange County Chemical Tank Stabilized, Evacuation Zone Cut 65 Percent
Officials said Monday that overnight testing eliminated the threat of a catastrophic explosion at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove. Evacuation orders for nearly 50,000 residents were reduced to about 16,000 people.
May 26, 2:03 AM·1m read2 sources
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Overnight testing showed temperatures and pressure levels inside a cracked chemical tank at a Garden Grove aerospace plant have stabilized, officials said Monday. The threat of a massive explosion has been eliminated, Orange County Fire Authority Interim Chief TJ McGovern stated in a video address.
Firefighters responded Thursday after a vapor leak was reported from a tank holding 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate at the GKN Aerospace site. A crack discovered Saturday night allowed pressure to release and altered response plans.
Crews used a deluge sprinkler system flowing 1,250 gallons per minute and removed weather insulation to cool the tank. Internal temperature dropped from about 100 degrees on Saturday night to 93 degrees by Monday evening. >"The threat of [an explosion] is now off the table.
The new zone is bounded by Orangewood Avenue, Dale Street, Knott Street and Garden Grove Boulevard. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer opened an investigation into GKN Aerospace and asked whistleblowers to come forward. Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra reported seven arrests for looting and prowling inside the evacuation zone since Thursday.
President Trump approved a federal emergency declaration requested by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff urged residents still under orders to stay out of the zone. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency On-Scene Coordinator Chris Myers said continuous air monitoring detected no exceedances.
School districts announced distance learning or delayed summer programs for campuses inside the affected area. Officials said another overnight operation would continue pressure testing and evaluate further evacuation reductions.
