California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency. A toxic chemical leak is happening at a manufacturing facility. This is in Orange County, California.
A tank with about 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate is in danger. This chemical is used to make plastic. It is easily flammable and can evaporate quickly. Officials warned the tank could fail. Thousands of residents in Garden Grove are under evacuation orders. This is a safety precaution. The tank's temperature was rising all day Saturday. It was higher than first thought.
Orange County Fire Authority chief Craig Covey spoke about two possible bad outcomes. He said they were planning for the tank to rupture and spill. They also planned for it to explode. The facility makes parts for aircraft. It is owned by GKN Aerospace. This UK-based company supplies the aerospace industry. The plant is about 5 miles from Disneyland. The famous theme park is not in the evacuation zone. It remains open. The area is about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The cause of the tank problem is being investigated. Emergency crews are spraying the tank with water. This is to lower its temperature and stabilize it. An inoperable valve caused more difficulties.
Chief Covey stated the tank's temperature reached 32C (90F) on Saturday. It was increasing by about one degree Fahrenheit each hour. On Friday, drones measured heat outside the tank. Officials thought they had cooled it to 16C (61F). But closer inspection showed the inside temperature was much higher. Covey hopes crews can slow the chemical reactions. These reactions cause heating and pressure. He said it is unacceptable to let the tank fail. They are making aggressive plans for a tank failure. They are also building barriers. These would contain any spilled chemicals. This aims to stop them from reaching storm drains or the ocean.
Local schools have closed. Several major road exits are shut. This limits access to the affected area. Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County health officer, gave advice. People smelling a strong, fruity odor should call authorities. She said smelling it is not necessarily harmful. But she stressed people should not smell it. Inhaling the vapor can cause breathing problems. It can also irritate eyes and cause dizziness. She assured residents outside the 1-mile evacuation zone should be safe.
Chief Covey had warned on Friday about two specific scenarios. Either the tank would fail and spill. Or it would have a thermal runaway and explode. He explained if it spills, dangerous chemicals would leak. They would spread in the parking lot. If it explodes, it could affect other nearby tanks. These tanks hold fuel or other chemicals. He emphasized this was not a drill. The tank seemed certain to fail. Officials did not know when this would happen. They were working to prevent it.
One evacuated resident, Mark Olsen, shared his experience. He was woken by sirens. He then learned about the evacuation. He grabbed his belongings and left. Olsen expressed frustration. He does not know what will happen to the plant. He also does not know when he can return home.
A spokesperson for GKN Aerospace apologized. They said the situation is ongoing. The company is working with emergency services. They are focused on community safety. They are also protecting employees and others involved.