California chemical tank deemed no longer an explosion risk

Fire officials from Orange County, Calif., said Monday that the threat of an explosion from an overheated chemical tank had been eliminated. Interim Fire Chief T.J. McGovern’s statement came after a tense weekend for Southern Californians. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department issued evacuation orders late last week for about 50,000 people as the threat of a chemical blast mounted. Authorities drastically reduced the size of the evacuation zone late Monday afternoon after saying earlier in the day the pressure in the tank was decreasing.

What led up to the emergency? First responders arrived at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove, Calif., on Thursday after receiving word that a storage tank had started overheating. The tank holds methyl methacrylate, a toxic and flammable compound used in plastic manufacturing. Rising temperatures in the tank threatened to cause a massive explosion.

On Sunday, Fire Chief McGovern confirmed that the tank had cracked under the pressure of its boiling contents. He said that the crack could actually help emergency responders stabilize the tank’s pressure and temperature. Authorities on Monday were still working to bring down the tank’s temperature. As of 10:00 a.m., the tank’s temperature was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, down from at least 100 degrees on Sunday. They stressed that there is no longer a threat of an explosion. 

How big has the emergency response been? California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday that more than 700 state and local responders were involved in the emergency. He also confirmed Monday that President Donald Trump had approved his request for a presidential emergency declaration, unlocking additional federal funding and resources for California responders. Newsom emphasized that he is prioritizing civilian safety and that the federal aid will strengthen the ongoing state response.