(ORANGE COUNTY, CA.) – GKN Aerospace is facing a class action lawsuit following the chemical spill that displaced 50,000 people in Southern California.
The lawsuit, filed by X- Law Group, P.C and Presidio Law Firm LLP alleges counts of negligence, private nuisance, and public nuisance.
Photo Credit: GKN Garden Grove
X-Law Group founder Filippo Marchino told OpGov.news that the clients, along with their neighbors, had been displaced and thought something had to be done. Marchino explained that it was “more than just the evacuations” that affected Orange County residents.
Marchino told OpGov.news that it was also the loss of use of their home, the decrease in property value, and the fact that many people had to sleep inside cars with their pets for four or five nights. Marchino had also expressed his thoughts on how the financial compensation for the residents involved should be significant given their circumstances, but said a jury will ultimately need to decide.
The evacuation orders were lifted on Tuesday, May 26, at 7:30pm by Health and City officials, prompting residents to finally return home. “On Thursday, this incident started with two options: a major explosion which we call a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) or a catastrophic leak,” interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern said in an interview.
Photo Credit: OC Fire Authority/ Instagram
McGovern and Fire Chief Covey both expressed that either scenario was unacceptable and sought a third solution. A risky nighttime mission on Sunday, May 24, involved emergency crews removing the external weather insulation on the outside of the critical tank.
Both firefighter crews and GKN personnel had also worked together to provide a constant water flow to the outside of the tank, which eventually reduced the internal temperature. “After an extensive operation, we’re happy to report evacuation orders have been lifted,” McGovern said.
Chief Covey also made mention that the decision to send everyone home was a joint decision by fire officials, police, and health personnel. Alongside this, Orange County Fire Authority Captain Greg Barta told OpGov.news that to his knowledge, OFCA had not received any reports of residents experiencing health issues.
Photo Credit: GGTV/ Youtube
“I worked across the street the first few days before the evacuation and felt fine the whole time, Javier, a Garden Grove resident, told OpGov.news. Javier further explained that OFCA stated that it was primarily vapor from the pressure buildup that was initially being released.
On the same night of the evacuation lift, Garden Grove City Council held an emergency meeting where residents showed up in droves to voice their frustrations and concerns. Charlene Quaglar, a Garden Grove resident, said “ ..What stayed with me most was seeing parents holding young children’s hands and families trying to figure out what they’re going to do.”
The displacement of various individuals and families has prompted residents to request that a half-mile buffer zone between residential spaces and chemical storage/ military facilities be implemented.
Photo Credit: GGTV/ Youtube
Many residents also expressed great backlash against GKN’s affiliation as a whole during the meeting. “We don’t want a military manufacturer here that creates supplies for war machines. We demand and reject any GKN expansions, including new permits," said Garden Grove resident Jennifer Lee.
The comment references GKN Aerospace's documents displaying the manufacturer’s involvement in constructing parts for the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet. This information was enough for many angry residents who were part of a newly launched coalition called the “Arms Embargo: GKN Out of Garden Grove” to stand in solidarity and speak out during the meeting.
Though the initial threat has ended, Fire Captain Greg Barta told OpGov.news that the investigation into the matter to determine the cause of the spill is still ongoing at this time.
If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to me at yikaileau.w@lead4earth.org.
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