Mass Evacuation Ordered in California Amid Chemical Blast Fears (Videos)

(SeaPRwire) –   Authorities are concerned that a pressurized tank holding methyl methacrylate might burst in the vicinity of residential areas in Orange County

As many as 50,000 inhabitants have been instructed to leave sections of Orange County, California, following warnings that a compromised chemical tank is at risk of leaking or exploding.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has instituted a state of emergency for Orange County while emergency crews strive to manage the situation at a GKN Aerospace site in Garden Grove, situated approximately 61 kilometers (38 miles) from Los Angeles. The pressurized tank holds between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons (22,700–26,500 liters) of methyl methacrylate (MMA), a highly combustible industrial chemical utilized in plastic manufacturing.

The event started on Thursday when the tank began releasing vapors, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Officials subsequently indicated there was no active leak or gas plume, but cautioned that the container remained unstable and could still rupture.

Responders initially thought the situation had calmed down after crews cooled the exterior with water, based on drone thermometer readings that showed the temperature had dropped to 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius). It was later found that the drones had only measured the outer shell of the container, whereas manual readings revealed internal heat levels were still increasing.

By Saturday, the temperature inside the vessel had risen to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), with emergency workers noting that the heat was increasing by roughly one degree Fahrenheit per hour. Authorities also mentioned that damaged or “gummed up” valves were hindering crews from extracting the chemical or relieving pressure.

Emergency crews have attempted to cool the vessel and introduce a neutralizing agent, while containment barriers have been erected to restrict environmental contamination in the event of a tank failure. Orange County Fire Authority Chief Craig Covey characterized the incident as a “worst-case scenario” and stated that the risk of a leak or explosion persists.

Evacuation orders were initially confined to residents living within 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of the location, but were later broadened to parts of six Orange County cities: Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster, impacting up to 50,000 people.

The material can easily ignite and emit toxic fumes if the container ruptures or explodes. Exposure to MMA may lead to respiratory issues, neurological symptoms, skin and eye irritation, and, in certain instances, loss of consciousness, according to health officials.