California officials warn massive chemical tank will likely spill thousands of gallons or 'blow up'
Garden Grove Chemical Tank Incident Forces Emergency Evacuations
Garden Grove, Calif. — An overnight emergency at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove has prompted authorities to order the evacuation of hundreds of residents as a 34,000‑gallon storage tank begins to leak a toxic, flammable chemical. The tank, which holds methyl methacrylate (MMA), a plastic‑forming epoxy used in aerospace parts, is now described by fire officials as “actively in crisis” and “unable to be secured.”
The problem was first identified on Thursday night when crews from the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) discovered that the tank was off‑gassing MMA fumes. Firefighters immediately activated cooling systems in an attempt to stabilize the tank, but the leak persisted. “We have determined that the tank that is in the biggest crisis is in fact unable to be secured and mitigated,” said Incident Commander Craig Covey, OCFA Fire Division Chief, during a brief emergency briefing on Friday morning.
The OCFA’s Interim Chief, TJ McGovern, reported that fire crews have been working around the clock at the GKN Aerospace site— a manufacturer of aircraft engine structures and other components for commercial and military aviation. The facility has been closed to the public, and workers have been directed to safe areas.
“Community safety is our highest priority,” said Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El‑Farra. “We need your help to keep everyone safe while we work to contain this situation.” A larger evacuation zone has been drawn and residents within the perimeter have been instructed to leave immediately and avoid the area until a safe‑to‑return order is issued.
The chemical in question, MMA, is volatile and flammable. If the tank fails, authorities warn that between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons could spill onto the surrounding parking lot and nearby streets. Even without a leak, the tank’s contents are at risk of a “thermal runaway,” which could trigger an explosion and set off neighboring tanks that store fuel and other hazardous materials. At this time, no active gas leak or toxic plume has been detected, but officials urge residents to heed warnings out of an abundance of precaution.
The evacuations have been organized at two emergency shelters in Garden Grove and Cypress, where displaced families can receive food, water, and temporary housing. Local law enforcement and mutual aid partners remain on site to monitor conditions and support first responders.
As of 1:00 p.m. local time, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. Rep. Derek Tran, a Democrat from California, has reached out to his office’s contacts with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request assistance. In a statement, Tran said, “I encourage everyone in the affected area to follow guidance from local authorities and avoid the impacted zones until further guidance is issued.”
Neither FEMA nor the EPA has yet responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital. The situation remains fluid, and officials have not provided a timeline for when the tank will be stabilized or when residents can return home. Garden Grove authorities are monitoring the scene closely and will update the public as more information becomes available.