Evacuation centers remained operational in Southern California on Saturday as emergency responders worked diligently to cool an overheated chemical storage tank situated less than a mile from Disneyland's theme parks in Garden Grove. The incident began when the pressurized tank, which contains between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons (22,700 to 26,500 liters) of methyl methacrylate, began venting vapors after overheating on Thursday.
Despite the serious situation, no injuries have been reported thus far. However, evacuation orders were issued for approximately 40,000 residents after the incident was identified, prompting the opening of several shelters, including three high schools, by Friday night. Craig Covey, Division Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, expressed concerns about the potential failure of the tank, which could result in hazardous chemical leaks or even an explosion.
In response to the crisis, drones have been deployed to monitor the tank's temperature. By Friday evening, emergency efforts aimed at cooling the tank began to show effectiveness. Covey emphasized the importance of proactive measures, stating, “It is not OK with me just to sit back and watch this thing blow up or fail. That is not acceptable to me.” He reassured the public that emergency crews were exploring multiple options to mitigate the situation and facilitate their safe return home.
Covey also urged citizens to restrict calls to 911 to emergency situations only, especially regarding nonemergency suggestions, as the existing team is already composed of highly qualified personnel dedicated to resolving the crisis. Initially, evacuation orders were limited to residents of Garden Grove, but by Friday afternoon, the precautionary measures were expanded to cover parts of five additional cities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster.
Garden Grove is located approximately 38 miles (61 kilometers) south of downtown Los Angeles and is notably close to Disneyland. The area features a vibrant Vietnamese community, which is one of the largest in the United States. Local Vietnamese television stations were quick to translate official updates and emphasized the seriousness of the situation to residents.
In anticipation of a potential spill, emergency crews utilized sandbags to create containment barriers to protect storm drains, local creeks, and the nearby ocean. Health concerns surrounding the heated chemical were highlighted by Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the Orange County health officer. She noted that if the chemical were to become excessively heated, it could release harmful vapors posing a risk to public health, including respiratory issues and symptoms such as itching, burning eyes, nausea, and headaches.
While initial assessments led crews to successfully neutralize one of the two damaged tanks, by Friday morning, it became evident that the remaining tank was “in the biggest crisis.” GKN Aerospace, the company responsible for the storage tank, reassured the public of its commitment to working alongside emergency services and hazardous materials teams to ensure the safety of the local community and all individuals involved.
