Crews addressing the chemical emergency at a Southern California aerospace site detected a possible crack in an unstable tank. This crack might be reducing pressure within the tank. Orange County Fire Authority Interim Chief T.J. McGovern shared this in a video update on social media.
Specialized teams entered the hazardous area late Saturday night to assess the situation. They identified what appeared to be a crack in the tank central to the incident. “They found a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially reduce some of the pressure,” McGovern stated.
Officials are working to confirm this discovery. McGovern noted that it might change the strategy for managing the incident.
“With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event,” McGovern said.
The inspection marked one of the first successful close-range checks of the tank. The emergency began Thursday night at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove. Teams have been trying to prevent a failure involving methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable chemical.
The leak originated at the facility, which manufactures engine components for aircraft. Authorities had previously warned of potential ruptures or explosions from the deteriorating tank. The new discovery could present a more favorable scenario, though the threat remains.
“We’re not there yet, but this was a step in the right direction,” McGovern stated.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County. This declaration helps California respond to the chemical incident in Garden Grove. More than 40,000 residents are still under evacuation orders. Authorities continue to monitor temperatures, air quality, and structural conditions around the site.
Gov. Newsom’s state of emergency allows crews to shift from defensive operations to taking high-risk actions to prevent an explosion. McGovern praised firefighters and hazardous materials specialists involved in the mission. He emphasized public safety as the top priority before residents can return.
“We want to get you back, but we cannot do that until it’s deemed safe,” he said.
Additional updates are expected as engineers and experts analyze the new findings. Officials remain focused on ensuring safety until the situation stabilizes.