Emergency teams addressing the chemical crisis at an aerospace facility in Southern California have identified what authorities believe to be a potential fracture in an unstable tank, which might be alleviating internal pressure.
In a video update shared on social media Sunday, Interim Chief T.J. McGovern of the Orange County Fire Authority detailed that specialized crews ventured into the danger zone late Saturday night. During their reconnaissance mission, they visually detected what seemed to be a crack in the tank at the heart of the emergency.
“They observed what could be a crack in the tank, possibly releasing some pressure from within,” McGovern explained.
Authorities are currently working to verify this finding, as McGovern noted that confirmation could alter the approach to handling the situation.
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“With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event,” he said.
The overnight operation marked one of the first successful close-range inspections of the tank since the emergency escalated Thursday night at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, where crews have been racing to prevent a catastrophic failure involving methyl methacrylate, or MMA – a volatile and flammable plastic epoxy chemical.
The leak was discovered at the aerospace manufacturing facility, which produces engine structures and components for commercial and military aircraft.
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Water is sprayed on a tank that overheated at an aerospace plant in Garden Grove, Calif., on May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Authorities previously warned the deteriorating tank could either rupture and spill thousands of gallons of hazardous chemicals or explode during a “thermal runaway” event, potentially triggering neighboring tanks and creating a wider disaster.
The discovery now presents what officials suggested could be a more favorable scenario than initially feared, though crews cautioned the threat has not yet passed.
“We’re not there yet, but this was a step in the right direction,” McGovern said.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Orange County as California continues to respond to the hazardous chemical incident in Garden Grove. (Ethan Swope/AP)
More than 40,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as officials continue monitoring temperatures, air quality and structural conditions around the facility.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as crews shifted from defensive containment operations to high-risk offensive actions aimed at preventing an explosion.
McGovern praised firefighters and hazardous materials specialists involved in the overnight mission, calling the operation successful and emphasizing that public safety remains the top priority before residents can return home.
“We want to get you back, but we cannot do that until it’s deemed safe,” he said.
Officials said additional updates are expected later Sunday as engineers and hazardous materials experts analyze the new findings.