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More than 40,000 residents across six Orange County cities — Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster — were ordered to evacuate Friday after officials warned a toxic chemical tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove would inevitably fail or explode.

More than 40,000 residents across six Orange County cities — Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster — were ordered to evacuate Friday after officials warned a toxic chemical tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove would inevitably fail or explode.

The tank holds an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable chemical used in plastics manufacturing. Orange County Fire Authority Incident Commander Craig Covey said the tank's valves became inoperable, preventing crews from neutralizing the substance inside.

The tank holds an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable chemical used in plastics manufacturing. Orange County Fire Authority Incident Commander Craig Covey said the tank's valves became inoperable, preventing crews from neutralizing the substance inside.

Covey said two outcomes were possible: the tank spills its contents into the surrounding area or undergoes thermal runaway and explodes, potentially triggering a chain reaction with nearby tanks holding fuel and other chemicals. He described a spill as the "best-case scenario."

Covey said two outcomes were possible: the tank spills its contents into the surrounding area or undergoes thermal runaway and explodes, potentially triggering a chain reaction with nearby tanks holding fuel and other chemicals. He described a spill as the "best-case scenario."

By Friday evening, water sprays had cooled the tank to around 61 degrees Fahrenheit, down from a high of at least 95 degrees earlier in the day. Covey said the lower temperature could allow crews to get closer to the tank overnight to attempt solutions.

New York Post

By Friday evening, water sprays had cooled the tank to around 61 degrees Fahrenheit, down from a high of at least 95 degrees earlier in the day. Covey said the lower temperature could allow crews to get closer to the tank overnight to attempt solutions.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong said short-term inhalation of methyl methacrylate vapors can cause lung and nasal irritation, nausea and dizziness, while high-level exposure can lead to severe respiratory distress and hospitalization. No injuries had been reported as of Friday.

Orange County Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong said short-term inhalation of methyl methacrylate vapors can cause lung and nasal irritation, nausea and dizziness, while high-level exposure can lead to severe respiratory distress and hospitalization. No injuries had been reported as of Friday.

The EPA deployed stationary air monitors around the facility, while the South Coast Air Quality Management District drove an air-monitoring van along the evacuation zone perimeter. As of Friday afternoon, no elevated levels of airborne chemicals had been detected.

The EPA deployed stationary air monitors around the facility, while the South Coast Air Quality Management District drove an air-monitoring van along the evacuation zone perimeter. As of Friday afternoon, no elevated levels of airborne chemicals had been detected.

40K Evacuated Over Explosive Tank in Orange County

40K Evacuated Over Explosive Tank in Orange County

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40K Evacuated Over Explosive Tank in Orange County

40K Evacuated Over Explosive Tank in Orange County

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