A large-scale evacuation has been carried out in California’s Orange County after a toxic gas leak from a chemical storage tank at an aerospace plastics manufacturing facility raised fears of a possible explosion. Approximately 40,000 residents were ordered to leave their homes as authorities warned of a highly unstable situation.
According to reports cited on Saturday (23 May) by Gulf News, the incident occurred in Garden Grove, a city in Orange County, where a major storage tank at an aerospace plastics plant began overheating. The tank, containing between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate—a chemical used in the production of plastics and aircraft components—started releasing hazardous vapours.
Local officials said the developing situation created a serious risk of explosion. Garden Grove Fire Chief Craig Covey stated: “This tank could rupture at any time; we do not know when it will happen. We are doing everything we can to bring the situation under control.”
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Evacuation and Affected Areas
As the risk escalated, evacuation orders were extended beyond Garden Grove to surrounding cities, including Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster. No casualties have been reported so far, but authorities have warned that a rupture could result in either a significant explosion or widespread chemical contamination.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Garden Grove, Orange County, California |
| Chemical involved | Methyl methacrylate |
| Estimated quantity | 6,000–7,000 gallons |
| Primary risk | Tank rupture, explosion, toxic gas release |
| Evacuated population | Approximately 40,000 residents |
| Nearby cities affected | Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, Westminster |
| Casualties | None reported |
Emergency Response Measures
Emergency crews have been constructing sandbag barriers around the site in an effort to prevent any chemical runoff from entering drainage systems or spreading into the wider environment. Officials confirmed that one of the two affected tanks has been brought under control, while the second remains in a highly unstable condition and continues to pose the greatest risk.
Health authorities have warned that exposure to vapours from methyl methacrylate may cause respiratory irritation, eye discomfort, nausea and headaches. Residents in the affected zones were urged to evacuate immediately and avoid returning until further notice.
Impact on Residents
The sudden evacuation order caused significant disruption for local residents, many of whom had only moments to leave their homes. Some reported taking only essential documents and minimal belongings before relocating to safer areas.
One resident, Danny Pham, described being awakened around 7 a.m. by his roommate and told to evacuate immediately. Having worked late the previous night at a Vietnamese restaurant, he had not seen earlier warnings. He left with only his wallet and passport and later sought shelter at a friend’s restaurant in a neighbouring city. He described the experience as sudden and distressing, saying he had not expected the situation to escalate so seriously.
Location Context
Garden Grove lies approximately 38 miles (61 kilometres) south of central Los Angeles and is located less than one mile from the Disneyland theme park area. The city is also known for having one of the largest Vietnamese communities in the United States.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as emergency teams work to stabilise the remaining hazardous storage tank.