{"id":203,"date":"2026-05-23T08:06:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T08:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=203"},"modified":"2026-05-23T08:06:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T08:06:48","slug":"orange-county-chemical-leak-frustrating-crews-as-evacuation-zone-grows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=203","title":{"rendered":"Orange County chemical leak frustrating crews as evacuation zone grows"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A massive tank leaking toxic chemicals into the sky over Garden Grove, California has led to more evacuations as officials struggle to prevent a possible explosion.<\/p>\n

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The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has been briefing the public all day Friday about the dangerous leak, which forced mass evacuations and school closures in the area since it started on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe great news is our efforts so far have continued to cool the tank. It\u2019s down to a temperature around 61 degrees, with 50 being its happy place,\u201d OCFA Division Chief Craig Covey said in a recent update.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo those efforts are succeeding and it\u2019s giving us opportunity to reconsider engaging in close proximity to implement some of the concepts that were outside the box,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

The leak at the GKN Aerospace plant, located at Western and Lampson avenues, led to evacuation orders affecting thousands of nearby residents.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, firefighters responded to a vapor release from a 34,000-gallon tank containing methyl methacrylate, an industrial chemical used in plastics and manufacturing, the OCFA said.<\/p>\n

The tank\u2019s temperature had increased, activating a relief valve designed to safely release\u00a0vapors, officials said.<\/p>\n

Dr. Regina Chintanar Quang with the OC health agency said that their biggest \u201cconcern is when this chemical reacts and the temperatures rise, it can cause a vapor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy big concern is that if that vapor goes into the air and people inhale it, it causes significant damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quang listed some of the symptoms people would experience if they did inhale from an irritation to a person\u2019s respiratory tract or lungs, with prolonged exposure possibly leading to severe respiratory issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo no matter what happens with the situation \u2014 whether the polymer just leaks out and then just hardens, or if it does explode and there is a vapor \u2014 you are all safe as long as you are out of the zone that was determined to be an evacuation zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Officials reiterated that if you do end up smelling the vapors, to let them know right away.<\/p>\n

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Mayor Pro-Tem for Garden Grove City George S. Brietigam issued a statement Friday night\u00a0that \u201cevacuations are continuing with PD still going door to door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are local hotels providing discounted rooms for evacuees that are listed on the city website. If you have older or infirm neighbors, please help them if you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garden Grove Police Department said they have done reverse 911 calls and are going door to door, urging people to leave. They say right now, there\u2019s about a 15% refusal rate.<\/p>\n

The evacuation zone covers the area north of Trask Avenue, south of Ball Road, east of Valley View Street and west of Dale Street. Small portions of West Anaheim and Cypress have been added to the original evacuation zone.<\/p>\n

A total of three evacuation centers are now activated, per the OCFA.<\/p>\n