A potential crack discovered in a chemical tank at GKN Aerospace in Southern California may be reducing pressure and averting an explosion, according to fire officials. The tank contains methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical, and had prompted evacuations for tens of thousands of residents. While efforts continue to stabilize the tank, the crack offers hope for a controlled resolution.
Experts working to avert a potential explosion at a Southern California aerospace plant have discovered a "potential crack" in a hazardous chemical tank that may be reducing pressure, a fire official announced Sunday.
The tank, containing methyl methacrylate—a flammable chemical crucial for plastics and manufacturing—has been a source of major concern since Friday. Officials warned of the possibility of a rupture, which could spill up to 7,000 gallons of toxic material or trigger a chain reaction explosion impacting other tanks at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove.
Evacuation orders were issued Friday for a wide area of Garden Grove, a city located about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, affecting tens of thousands of residents.
TJ McGovern, interim fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, shared in a social media video that a specialized team identified the potential crack late Saturday. "a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially be relieving some of the pressure in there," he stated, calling the discovery "positive intel."
A spokesperson for the Orange County Fire Authority confirmed to Reuters that authorities are actively working to determine if the crack has indeed lowered the pressure within the tank, a development that could significantly mitigate the risk of an explosion. While the immediate focus is on pressure assessment, the crack could eventually enable a controlled draining of the hazardous chemicals.
Governor Gavin Newsom has requested a federal emergency declaration from President Donald Trump to bolster response efforts. Newsom had previously declared a state of emergency for Orange County on Saturday.
The tank's internal temperature had reached a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday. However, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin mentioned on Sunday that local officials were working to maintain the temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit, adding, "I'm being told this morning that the most likely scenario is one of a low-volume release, where the local authorities are going to be able to monitor, neutralize and contain the threat."
Emergency crews have been preparing contingency plans for a possible spill, exploring methods to contain and divert the liquid into a designated holding area to prevent it from entering storm drains, rivers, or the ocean.
While air monitors deployed in Garden Grove have not detected any chemicals or pollutants, and sensors around the tank have not indicated leaks, health officials remain concerned about potential severe respiratory issues from prolonged exposure to the chemical's vapor. GKN Aerospace, the facility where the incident occurred, specializes in manufacturing and testing windows and canopies for commercial and military aircraft.
