GARDEN GROVE, CALIFORNIA / Content Syndication Services / — California authorities kept a state of emergency in place in Orange County after an overheated storage tank containing methyl methacrylate at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove forced large evacuations and a hazardous materials response. The incident began May 21 at the Western Avenue site, where officials said the tank began heating, venting fumes and creating a risk tied to the highly flammable chemical used in plastics and acrylic manufacturing.
Mandatory evacuation orders affected about 50,000 residents in Garden Grove and nearby areas as emergency crews worked around the damaged tank. The City of Garden Grove directed residents to avoid the area, follow evacuation orders and road closures, and rely on official public safety updates. The evacuation zone included neighborhoods near Ball Road, Valley View Street, Dale Street and Trask Avenue, with emergency hotlines opened for residents seeking information.
Crews assess damaged tank
The Orange County Fire Authority used water streams, drones and hazardous materials teams to cool the tank and monitor temperatures while crews assessed a crack that officials said appeared to be releasing pressure. Fire officials said the crack did not end the emergency because the tank still contained thousands of gallons of methyl methacrylate and required continued monitoring. Officials also said damaged valves had complicated efforts to remove or neutralize the material earlier in the response.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Orange County on May 23 and later requested federal emergency assistance to support evacuation, sheltering, equipment, personnel and technical operations. State officials said more than 785 state and local responders were deployed, including hazardous materials specialists, law enforcement, public health personnel and environmental monitoring teams. Authorities said no injuries had been reported and air monitoring had not detected dangerous off-site readings.
Monitoring continues across area
Methyl methacrylate can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat, and health officials warn that higher exposure can cause respiratory symptoms and other health effects. Officials said ordinary masks do not protect against chemical vapors, reinforcing the evacuation order and warnings to stay away from the affected area. Containment measures were also placed around the facility to limit environmental impacts in the event of a release from the tank.
GKN Aerospace said it was cooperating with emergency responders at the site as crews continued work to stabilize the chemical hazard. The emergency disrupted residential neighborhoods over the Memorial Day weekend, filled or strained evacuation shelters, delayed some local activities and required coordination among city, county, state and federal agencies. Authorities said the response remained focused on cooling the tank, protecting residents, monitoring air quality and preventing contamination around the Garden Grove facility.