Orange County officials announced Monday that the threat of a catastrophic explosion caused by a failed chemical tank at GKN Aerospace has been eliminated after overnight operations.
The incident began Thursday when a 34,000-gallon storage tank at a GKN aerospace plant containing about 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate (MMA) began leaking and overheating. MMA is a toxic and flammable chemical used in plastic manufacturing.
That prompted mandatory evacuation orders for nearly 50,000 residents in some areas. garden groveBuena Park, Anaheim, Stanton, Westminster and Cypress.
BLEVE threat neutralized
Orange County Fire Department officials confirmed Monday that the risk of a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, or BLEVE, has now “been eliminated.”
“We are pleased to report that the threat BLEVE [boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion] This is no longer discussed. Orange County interim fire chief TJ McGovern said the threat has been eliminated, NBC News reported.
Crews discovered a crack in the tank that allowed the pressure to be safely released. The tank’s internal temperature has dropped from around 100°F to 93°F. While the risk of a complete leak or smaller explosion remains, the immediate catastrophic danger has passed.
“It’s incredibly positive news when we turn this incident around,” said OCFA incident commander and division commander Craig Covey.
Emergency and Federal Response
Governor Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency in Orange County and requires federal emergency declaration from the president Donald Trump Support ongoing response efforts.
A White House official confirmed on Monday that the Trump administration is “engaging in and monitoring the situation.”
talking cbs news“The EPA has integrated with local unified commands made up of state and local agencies and enabled air monitoring at 20 locations in the region,” the official said.
“FEMA has deployed a liaison officer to coordinate with officials and a team to the State Emergency Operations Center to support incident response planning. FEMA has also activated the Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center to provide plume models of airborne hazards to inform incident leadership and emergency planning.”
Evacuation and Shelter Updates
Evacuation orders remain in effect for affected communities. Nearly 10 shelters are open, with several at or near capacity. Other venues have opened over the weekend, including one at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
California State Parks officials reminded evacuees that overnight stays at state parks, including Bolsa Chica State Park in Huntington Beach, are not allowed.
So far, no injuries have been reported.
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