California Declares Emergency Over Toxic Leak

California has declared a state of emergency as emergency crews worked through the weekend to contain a dangerous chemical leak at an aerospace manufacturing facility in Orange County.

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Officials warned that a tank holding about 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate — a highly flammable chemical used in plastic production — was at risk of catastrophic failure. Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate surrounding areas as a precaution.

The emergency is centred on a facility operated by GKN Aerospace in the city of Garden Grove, around 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles and about five miles from Disneyland. The theme park remains open and is outside the evacuation zone.

Tank Temperature Continues to Rise

Officials said the damaged tank’s internal temperature was significantly higher than first believed and continued rising on Saturday.

Orange County Fire Authority division chief Craig Covey said crews were preparing for two possible outcomes: a rupture causing a chemical spill, or a thermal runaway reaction leading to an explosion.

Emergency teams have been spraying water on the tank in an effort to cool it and reduce pressure buildup. However, authorities said an inoperable valve had complicated efforts to stabilise the situation.

Covey said officials initially believed the tank had cooled to around 16C (61F) after drone measurements on Friday evening. But when crews later checked the internal gauge directly, they discovered the temperature had climbed to about 32C (90F) and was increasing by roughly one degree Fahrenheit per hour.

“Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us,” Covey told reporters.

Evacuations and Road Closures

Authorities have closed local schools and shut several major road exits to restrict access to the area.

Officials are also constructing containment barriers in case chemicals spill from the tank. Covey said the aim was to stop hazardous material from reaching storm drains or flowing into the ocean.

Orange County health officer Dr Regina Chinsio-Kwong warned residents to report any noticeable “fruity and heavy smell”, which could indicate the presence of chemical vapours.

She said exposure to the vapour could lead to breathing difficulties, dizziness and eye irritation, but added that people outside the one-mile evacuation zone were not believed to face immediate danger.

Covey warned on Friday that the situation was no longer theoretical.

“This thing is going to fail, and we don’t know when,” he said during a news conference.

Residents Describe Uncertainty

Residents forced to leave their homes described confusion and anxiety as emergency sirens sounded across neighbourhoods.

Mark Olsen, who evacuated to the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center, told local media he woke to emergency alarms before being instructed to leave the area.

He said uncertainty over when residents could safely return home was difficult.

“It’s just frustrating,” Olsen said.

Company Apologises

GKN Aerospace said it was cooperating fully with emergency responders and hazardous materials teams.

A company spokesperson apologised to residents and said efforts remained focused on protecting the local community, employees and emergency personnel as crews continued attempts to stabilise the tank.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 24 May 2026

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