All evacuation orders lifted in O.C. chemical crisis. No public danger remains, officials say

All evacuation orders in Orange County were lifted after authorities determined there was no remaining danger of an explosion, chemical leak, or fire from a hazardous materials incident at an aerospace manufacturing plant. About 50,000 people in Stanton, Garden Grove, and nearby areas had been evacuated when an overheating tank containing 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate faced risk of a massive explosion. Officials coordinated with law enforcement, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Orange County Public Health Department to fully repopulate the area. The risk of a BLEVE was reduced after crews sprayed more than 9 million gallons of water to lower the tank’s temperature. Crews continued stabilizing the tank temperature to remove remaining fire risk. The incident began at the GKN Aerospace facility after a likely cooling system failure. Officials said no toxic chemicals were released, though some environmental experts questioned that claim after the tank cracked from high internal temperatures.

"All remaining evacuation orders were lifted in Orange County on Tuesday evening as authorities declared there was no remaining danger of an explosion, chemical leak or fire stemming from a hazardous material incident at an aerospace manufacturing plant."

"Around 50,000 people in Stanton, Garden Grove and surrounding areas were asked to evacuate during the crisis, when an overheating tank filled with 7,000 gallons of a chemical called methyl methacrylate - a highly flammable liquid monomer used to manufacture plastics - was at risk of causing a massive explosion."

"Officials had announced Monday morning that the risk of a BLEVE, or boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion, had been eliminated after crews sprayed more than 9 million gallons of water onto the tank, drastically reducing the vessel's temperature. As a result, the evacuation zone was initially reduced Monday evening."

"The Orange County health officer and fire officials have insisted there have been no toxic chemicals released. But, some environmental experts have expressed skepticism over this claim, particularly after the high temperature inside the tank led to a crack in the vessel."

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