(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) -- A hazardous chemical spill in Orange County, California has prompted city officials to evacuate thousands of residents from their homes and businesses as Firefighters and Hazmat Crews attempt to mitigate the problem.
Photo Credit: Garden Grove City Hall / Facebook
“There are literally two options left remaining. The tank fails and spills a total of six to seven thousand gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area or two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up,” said Division Chief Craig Covey of the Orange County Fire Authority.
He further explained that the tank in the “biggest crisis” is unable to be secured and properly relieved. These ongoing efforts follow a chemical spill that occurred around 3:30 in the afternoon on Thursday, May 22, when firefighters were called to GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, California.
The company, specializing in manufacturing aircraft gear for commercial and military use, saw one of their 34,000 gallon tanks begin spewing a toxic chemical into the air.
Photo Credit: City of Garden Grove
The chemical, Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is a liquid used within the aerospace industry for the purpose of manufacturing acrylic plastics.
In regards to biological hazards it poses to humans, it is known to cause both acute and chronic respiratory effects following inhalation. Neurological symptoms in humans have also been documented according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Initial evacuations immediately following the spill on Thursday covered areas from Western to Beach Boulevard and from Garden Grove to Orangewood Avenue. Since then, as of Friday, May 22, the evacuation was first lifted, then was reinstated and has only increased.
Covey, on this, said, “ Evacuation orders have been increasing based on the most current information we’re getting.” Mark, an Orange County Resident, told OpGov.news that his wife works at a high school located on Knott St and as she was getting ready for work, they noticed helicopters in the area.
Photo Credit: City of Stanton / Instagram
“We live on Magnolia and Lampson which is a block east of Dale.” Mark continued saying, “We are getting ready to evacuate since they expanded the evacuation order north and south. ”With this, he also explained, “Things are kinda grim...” as not only he and his wife were evacuating from their home, but Mark said they also have pets they needed to gather things for as well.
According to the Garden Grove Unified School District’s official website, it states that a reunification center has been set up at the Community Recreation Center, which is located at 13641 Deodara Drive. There is also a temporary shelter at Stanton City Hall located at 7800 Katella Avenue.
Orange County Board Supervisor, Doug Chaffee told OpGov.news, “My office is in contact with local emergency response officials as they handle the situation. I encourage all residents to follow orders from local authorities and avoid the evacuation zone.”
While it was stated that there is no active gas leak or plume in the area, Covey said that they are preparing for the two outcomes regarding the tank in active crisis.
“This thing is going to fail. We don’t know when,” Covey said. Should it blow up, the explosion will also affect other nearby tanks around it which also contain fuel or chemicals in them as well.
At this time, around 40,000 Southern Californian residents have been evacuated.
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