Threat of massive explosion in Garden Grove 'eliminated' but danger remains, officials say

A ruptured tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove prompted a multi-day evacuation affecting about 50,000 residents. Fire officials reported that the worst-case BLEVE scenario was no longer a concern after crews gained confidence the pressurized tank would not undergo a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. Officials continued mitigating other threats, including the possibility of an explosion and concerns about a toxic chemical release. Evacuated residents remained unable to return home while officials evaluated whether parts of the evacuation zone could be reduced for some displaced people. Federal disaster assistance was authorized to support coordination costs for the response effort.

"The threat of a massive explosion from a ruptured tank in Garden Grove was eliminated Monday, but Orange County Fire Authority officials stopped short of allowing thousands of evacuated residents to return home due to lingering fears of a toxic chemical release."

"Orange County officials said they were evaluating whether it was safe to reduce the evacuation zone to allow some of the displaced residents to go home. Concerns remained that an explosion at the aerospace plant in Garden Grove was still possible, fire officials said."

"“The threat of a BLEVE has been eliminated,” McGovern said, but he added “we still have threats that we are mitigating.”"

"Separately, President Trump authorized federal disaster assistance to help cover the costs of coordinating the response effort."

Read at Los Angeles Times