Chemical tank in Southern California no longer under threat of catastrophic explosion, officials say


The failing chemical tank in Southern California that caused tens of thousands of people to evacuate is no longer presenting a threat of catastrophic explosion, according to officials.

The temperature is declining within the chemical tank at an aerospace facility in Garden Grove, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, eliminating concerns that the tank could explode and cause of a catastrophic fireball, local authorities said on Monday morning.

“We are happy to report that the threat of a BLEVE [Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion] is now off the table,” Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Interim Chief TJ McGovern said during an update. “That threat has been eliminated.”

The crisis is not fully averted, McGovern told reporters during a press conference on Monday. But if an explosion or leak were to occur, it would be significantly smaller than the initial worst-case scenario, he said.

Since the temperature inside the tank has decreased, it has allowed the chemical inside to solidify, but it is unclear how much, according to McGovern.

Water is sprayed on a damaged tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, Calif., May 25, 2026.

KABC

The evacuation orders remain, OCFA Division Chief Craig Covey noted.

“We want to be clear that the evacuation zones are still in play,” he said. “Please abide by those evacuation zones.”

On Thursday, a chemical tank filled with toxic chemicals at GKN Aerospace, a manufacturing company that builds engines and landing gear for both commercial and military aircraft, was showing signs of overheating, which could cause it to overheat or spill, officials said.

The 34,000-gallon tank contained methyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical used in plastic manufacturing, according to the OCFA. The chemical is primarily a respiratory irritant. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as breathing problems, according to the EPA.

Water is sprayed on a damaged tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, Calif., May 25, 2026.

KABC

The “unprecedented” situation caused officials to order about 50,000 people in the vicinity to evacuate in case a leak sent toxic fumes wafting through the neighborhood or cause an explosion could result in a dangerous fireball. California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency in Orange County in response to the incident.

Authorities then worked to cool down the bulging tank to prevent it from exploding. The crack in the tank discovered by firefighters on late Saturday relieved some of the pressure within the tank, Covey said.

While officials were confident that the crack wouldn’t lead to any chemical leaks, they continued to monitor air quality in the region.

Any areas outside of the roughly 10-square-mile evacuation zone “are currently considered completely safe and day-to-day activities can continue as normal,” the OCFA said in an update Sunday afternoon.

Roads remain closed after residents were evacuated following a chemical leak from a large storage tank that threatened nearby homes in Garden Grove, Calif., May 24, 2026.

Blake Fagan/AFP via Getty Images

Within the zone are schools, hospitals, nursing homes, fire and law enforcement stations and critical infrastructure. Multiple roads were also closed in the area.

“We appreciate your support and the patience while we work through this incident together,” Covey said.

ABC News’ Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, Jaclyn Lee, Alex Stone, Jenna Harrison and Connor Burton contributed to this report.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Judge Denies New Trial for Karmelo Anthony in Texas Teen’s Killing

    A Black teenager who was convicted of murder in the fatal stabbing of a white peer at a high school track meet last year will not receive a new trial,…

    WATCH: 'Baby Shark' star grows up

    Geonroung Park, who appeared in “Baby Shark Dance,” the video that became the most-watched in YouTube history with 17.2 billion views, is now 17-years-old and making a comeback as a…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    OpenAI Calls For California To Strengthen Its AI Safety Laws

    OpenAI Calls For California To Strengthen Its AI Safety Laws

    Meet the Lovecraftian monstrosities of The Sinking City 2, out today on PS5 – PlayStation.Blog

    Meet the Lovecraftian monstrosities of The Sinking City 2, out today on PS5 – PlayStation.Blog

    The Pratt & Whitney Engine That Only Became Airtight After It Got Hot Enough To Glow

    The Pratt & Whitney Engine That Only Became Airtight After It Got Hot Enough To Glow

    Small and stuck: Why European firms can’t scale

    Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani throws to live batters as progression toward pitching return continues

    Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani throws to live batters as progression toward pitching return continues

    Canada Gazette – Part I, March 5, 2022, Vol. 156, No. 10