Daijiworld Media Network - Orange County

Orange County, May 26: The risk of a major explosion from a damaged chemical tank in Orange County has been eliminated following an overnight emergency operation, California fire officials said.

The tank, located at an aerospace facility in Garden Grove, contained thousands of gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable chemical used in plastic production. Officials said it had been at risk of a potential spill or a dangerous Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) due to rising internal pressure and heat.

Orange County Fire Authority Interim Chief TJ McGovern said the most serious threat has now been removed.

“We are happy to report that the threat of a BLEVE is now off the table. That threat has been eliminated,” McGovern said.

However, authorities stressed that the situation is still not fully resolved, as crews continue efforts to reduce spill risks and monitor the stability of the damaged tank.

A crack in the tank over the weekend led to a partial pressure release, with officials confirming that the internal temperature has dropped from 100°F (38°C) to 93°F (34°C). Fire crews have been spraying the tank with water to control heat levels and prevent further chemical reactions.

Officials said no active leak is currently detected, but precautionary evacuation orders remain in place for parts of the region, affecting thousands of residents.

At its peak, around 50,000 people were evacuated from areas including Garden Grove, Stanton, Anaheim, Cypress, Westminster and Buena Park, as a state of emergency was declared by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Authorities said approximately 16,000 residents are still unable to return home as a reduced evacuation zone remains in effect while safety operations continue.

Officials from GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, where the tank is located, have apologised to residents as emergency crews continue round-the-clock monitoring and containment efforts.