California chemical tank explosion fears prompt mass evacuation
A chemical tank containing 26,000 litres of methyl methacrylate is heating up in Garden Grove, Orange County, California, prompting fears of a catastrophic explosion. About 40,000 residents were ordered to evacuate on Friday after the tank began leaking fumes. Firefighters report the tank's temperature rose from 77°F to 90°F by Saturday morning, increasing at about one degree per hour. Efforts to cool the tank are underway, with water jets deployed. An additional 56,781-litre tank nearby adds to the explosive risk. Incident Commander Craig Covey confirmed the serious situation.
Key facts
- Tank contains 26,000 litres of methyl methacrylate
- 40,000 residents evacuated in Garden Grove, Orange County
- Temperature rose from 77°F to 90°F by Saturday morning
- Temperature increasing about one degree per hour
- Additional 56,781-litre tank nearby poses explosive risk
- Craig Covey is Orange County Fire Authority Incident Commander
- Water jets sprayed on tank to cool it
- Tank capacity is 128,704 litres
Entities
Institutions
- Orange County Fire Authority
Locations
- California
- Garden Grove
- Orange County
- Los Angeles