Los Angeles, May 24: California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Orange County as emergency teams work tirelessly to cool down hazardous industrial chemical tanks at an aerospace manufacturing facility in Garden Grove.
According to reports from the Xinhua news agency, Newsom stated on Saturday, “The safety of the people in Orange County is our top priority.” He emphasized that the California government is utilizing all possible resources to assist relief teams and affected individuals.
On the social media platform X, Newsom announced, “I am declaring a state of emergency in Orange County as California responds to the hazardous chemical incident in Garden Grove. State agencies are assisting local authorities and affected communities to ensure public safety. Please continue to follow the instructions of emergency officials.”
With this emergency order, the state government will be able to mobilize more resources and facilitate rapid coordination among local, state, and federal agencies. The crisis originated at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove, where the temperature of a tank containing methyl methacrylate (MMA), a highly flammable industrial chemical used in acrylic plastics and aerospace manufacturing, has been unstable for several days.
The situation is becoming increasingly critical as the temperature inside the compromised tank continues to rise. Just a day ago, the temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius), but it has now reached approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.22 degrees Celsius).
Fire officials have warned that if the temperature continues to escalate, two major risks could arise: either the tank could rupture, releasing toxic chemicals, or a significant explosion could occur, potentially causing other nearby chemical tanks to explode as well.