Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated in California due to the risk of a tank containing a dangerous chemical exploding.
A massive evacuation is underway in California due to the threat of an explosion of a tank with a dangerous chemical at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove. Local authorities have declared a state of emergency, and rescuers, together with experts, are trying to prevent a possible chemical disaster. This is reported by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The incident occurred at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove, about 30 miles from Los Angeles. The tank contains methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable toxic substance used in plastics and aerospace.
The temperature inside the tank continues to rise by about one degree per hour, according to the Orange County Fire Department. Firefighters warn that if it explodes or leaks, up to 7,000 gallons of the toxic substance could be released.
Evacuation orders have been issued for tens of thousands of residents in the area due to the danger. Some of the temporary shelters in Anaheim, Fountain Valley, La Palma and Huntington Beach are already full.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County and urged residents to follow evacuation orders.
Firefighters brought in specialists from across the state, as well as specialists from the chemical company, to stabilize the situation. In particular, they are trying to cool the tank with water and preparing systems to contain a possible leak so that the toxic substance does not enter storm drains, rivers or the ocean.
GKN Aerospace said that it was cooperating with the relevant services and apologized to local residents for the forced evacuation.
Medics warn that prolonged exposure to methyl methacrylate vapors can cause serious breathing problems. At the same time, air quality monitoring has not revealed dangerous concentrations of toxic vapors so far.
