Los Angeles, May 24: California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Orange County. Emergency teams are working tirelessly to cool down hazardous industrial chemical tanks at an aerospace manufacturing facility in Garden Grove.
According to a report 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 available resources to assist relief teams and affected individuals.
On the social media platform X, Newsom wrote, “I am declaring a state of emergency in Orange County as California responds to the hazardous chemical incident in Garden Grove. State agencies are collaborating with local officials and impacted communities to ensure public safety. Please continue to follow the instructions of emergency officials.”
This emergency order enables the state government to mobilize additional 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, has been unstable for several days. MMA is commonly used in acrylic plastic and aerospace manufacturing.
The situation is becoming increasingly serious as the temperature inside the compromised tank continues to rise. Just a day ago, the temperature was recorded at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius), but it has now surged to nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.22 degrees Celsius).
Fire officials have warned that if the temperature continues to escalate, two major risks could arise: the tank could rupture, releasing toxic chemicals, or a significant explosion could occur, endangering nearby chemical tanks.
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