Emergency crews in Orange County, California, are working against time to prevent a potential explosion after a chemical storage tank began leaking hazardous vapors, forcing approximately 40,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The crisis began Thursday when a storage tank containing between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate overheated at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove. The tank started venting dangerous vapors into the surrounding air, prompting immediate safety concerns from fire officials.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey warned Friday that the situation remains critical. The tank could either crack and release the chemical onto the ground or potentially explode. “This thing is going to fail, and we don’t know when,” Covey stated. “We’re doing our best to figure out when or how we can prevent it.”
The evacuation zone initially covered Garden Grove but expanded Friday to include portions of five additional Orange County cities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster. The affected area is located approximately 38 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and less than a mile from Disneyland’s theme parks, though the parks themselves were not under evacuation orders.
Methyl methacrylate is an industrial chemical commonly used in manufacturing plastic components. According to Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county health officer, exposure to its vapors can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, nausea, and headaches.
Residents described scenes of urgency as they fled their homes. Danny Pham, who lives just blocks from the facility, was awakened by his roommate around 7 a.m. Friday with orders to evacuate immediately. “It was shocking to me,” Pham said. “I didn’t know how serious it would be. I never knew that a thing like this could happen.” He left with only his wallet and passport, taking shelter at a friend’s restaurant.
Kim Yen, a retiree living two blocks from the chemical leak, received an emergency alert Thursday night. She expressed concern for members of the local Vietnamese community who might not understand the English-language evacuation notices. Garden Grove is home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities in the United States.
Fire crews have made some progress in managing the emergency. They successfully neutralized one of two damaged tanks and have been able to maintain the temperature of the remaining tank, buying crucial time to develop a solution. Containment barriers made of sandbags have been erected around the facility to prevent any potential spill from reaching storm drains, creeks, or the ocean.
GKN Aerospace, which manufactures parts for commercial and military aircraft, confirmed that specialized hazardous material teams are assessing the situation. A company spokesperson emphasized that employee and community safety remains their top priority.
Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein acknowledged residents’ fears while stressing the necessity of the evacuation orders. “We understand that this is frightening,” she said. “But the evacuation orders are in place for your safety.”
Local Vietnamese television stations have been broadcasting translated updates from officials, urging community members to take the evacuation seriously. Police officers have been conducting door-to-door checks to ensure all residents have left the affected areas.
As of Friday afternoon, no injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with the incident. However, many evacuees face uncertainty about when they might return home, with some worried about leaving behind belongings and important documents for an extended period.
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