Overnight, emergency crews undertook a critical “offensive” mission at an aerospace facility in Southern California to address the escalating threat posed by a nearby chemical tank. The primary tank’s internal temperature has been rising steadily, reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This situation prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency on Saturday, leading to the evacuation of more than 40,000 residents.
Orange County Fire Authority Incident Commander Greg Covey delivered the concerning update on Saturday morning. Crews had risked their safety overnight to manually inspect the failing tank’s internal temperature gauge, which had been obscured from view by cooling water in drone footage.
The temperature, which was recorded at 77 degrees on Friday morning, has since climbed at an alarming rate of one degree per hour, now standing at 90 degrees.
Interim Chief T.J. McGovern and Covey of the Orange County Fire Authority have warned of only two catastrophic outcomes: the tank could either rupture, spilling between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals, or it might experience a “thermal runaway” and explode. Such an explosion could potentially trigger a chain reaction involving nearby fuel and chemical tanks.
On Friday, water was being sprayed onto the overheated tank at the aerospace plant in Garden Grove, California, in an effort to control its temperature. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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The primary goal of the overnight operation, conducted with the support of a chemist team, was to neutralize a 15,000-gallon tank, removing its explosive potential in case the neighboring 7,000-gallon tank detonates, according to Covey.
Despite the rising temperatures, officials have developed a potential third outcome to avoid disaster.
By using a heavy, continuous deluge of water, crews hope the volatile chemical will “cure” and harden at a slower rate from the outside in, similar to an ice cube.
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Covey said the team is hoping the void space at the top of the tank will absorb the overpressure from the curing process, preventing an explosion.
Simultaneously, crews are preparing aggressive contingency plans in case the tank fails and spills liquid.
Responders are establishing diking and damming measures to divert the potential fluid down a grade into a commercial holding area.
Firefighter trucks pump water to a chemical tank that overheated at an aerospace plant in Garden Grove, Calif. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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The diversion would prevent the toxic chemical from reaching storm drains, river channels and the ocean, preventing an “environmental disaster.”
“Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us,” Covey said, noting that experts from across the country are consulting on the crisis.
Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon, allowing resources to flow to the scene.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been mobilized for more than 24 hours and state agencies are supporting impacted communities to protect public safety and assist local officials as response efforts continue, Newsom wrote in a statement on X.
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The emergency began Thursday night when authorities discovered methyl methacrylate (MMA) — a volatile and flammable plastic epoxy — leaking from a storage tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, a facility that manufactures engine structures and products for commercial and military aircraft.
Firefighters initially put critical cooling measures in place and the situation was initially believed to be under control, allowing residents to temporarily return home.
The crisis severely escalated by Friday morning, and by 5 p.m. local time, crews had successfully used a “water curtain” to temporarily stabilize the temperature, buying experts time to brainstorm solutions.
“We are not giving up,” Covey said Saturday morning. “We are going to do everything we can to mitigate this, protect your residences, protect our environment and get you back home.”
The sign of GKN Aerospace is shown at the facility in Garden Grove, Calif., where a tank overheated. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra announced that an expanded evacuation zone was implemented to protect the public from the imminent threat. Displaced families have been directed to numerous emergency evacuation centers.
Health officials warned of severe risks if the chemical tank ruptures.
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of the Orange County Health Care Agency said if the chemical reacts and temperatures rise, it can create a highly toxic vapor.
Evacuees move to another shelter after an aerospace chemical plant tank leak forced the closure of the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center, Friday, in Garden Grove, Calif. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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“My biggest concern is that if that vapor goes into the air, and people inhale that, it causes significant damage,” Chinsio-Kwong said, warning it can cause severe respiratory issues and irritation to the eyes, nose and lungs.
“No matter what happens with the situation, whether the polymer just leaks out and then just hardens, or if it does explode and there is a vapor, you are all safe as long as you are out of the zone,” she continued.
Rep. Derek Tran, D-Calif., released a statement saying he is closely monitoring the situation alongside local officials.
Tran confirmed he is in contact with federal disaster relief officials, including FEMA and the EPA.
FEMA and the EPA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.