In brief
Authorities in Southern California are racing to prevent a catastrophic chemical tank explosion near Disneyland after a pressurized storage tank began venting vapors. Evacuation orders covering 40,000 residents remain in effect as crews use drones to monitor the overheated tank containing 6,000-7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate. Orange County Fire Authority Chief Craig Covey emphasized urgency, stating 'It is not OK with me just to sit back and watch this thing blow up or fail.' Health officials warn of respiratory issues from exposure, while sandbag barriers prevent chemical runoff into waterways.
Emergency crews have been working around the clock to cool an overheated chemical storage tank in Garden Grove, California, after it began venting vapors near Disneyland. The tank, located at GKN Aerospace, holds 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a chemical used in plastic manufacturing, and officials warned that it could either explode or leak toxic substances onto the ground.Evacuation orders were issued Thursday for more than 40,000 people in Garden Grove and expanded Friday to parts of Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster. Evacuation centers, including at three high schools, remain open as authorities work to keep the public safe. No injuries have been reported, but local health officials warn that exposure to the chemical vapor can cause respiratory issues, itching, burning eyes, nausea, and headaches.Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey stated that crews are using drones to monitor the tank’s temperature and have made progress in cooling it. 'It is not OK with me just to sit back and watch this thing blow up or fail. That is not acceptable to me,' Covey said in a social media update. He emphasized that his team is exploring multiple solutions to prevent a disaster and urged residents to be patient.Covey also asked the public not to call 911 for nonemergency issues, stating that he has 'the best people around working on solutions.' To prevent a spill, crews have constructed sandbag barriers to stop any potential chemical from entering storm drains or waterways. The tank is just under a mile from Disneyland’s two theme parks, which remain open to the public.Initially, crews were successful in neutralizing one of two damaged tanks, but Covey said Friday that the remaining tank was 'in the biggest crisis.' GKN Aerospace, the company operating the facility, stated it is 'fully focused on working with emergency services, specialized hazardous material teams, and the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the local community, our employees and everyone else involved.'}
