Toxic Chemical Leak Causes Evacuations
Residents were evacuated Thursday afternoon in response to a hazardous materials incident at an aerospace facility, where a significant leak of toxic chemicals was reported. Authorities were alerted to the situation around 3:30 p.m., prompting a swift response from the Orange County Fire Authority.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that a 34,000-gallon vat containing methyl methacrylate, a volatile substance commonly used in plastic production, was leaking. Larry Kurtz, a spokesperson for the Fire Authority, noted that this chemical poses flammability risks and can release heat during certain reactions.
Safety Measures and Community Response
The incident occurred at GKN Aerospace, a company that produces various critical components for both commercial and military aircraft. To safeguard the community, several blocks were evacuated, specifically those situated north of Garden Grove Boulevard, east of Monarch Street, south of Orangewood Avenue, and west of Beach Boulevard. Residents were directed to a reunification area at Rancho Alamitos High School, located at 11351 Dale St.
The precautionary measures were implemented to ensure that if the situation escalated, the focus would be on protecting lives rather than property. Fire crews employed water to cool the affected tank, and the facility’s automated sprinkler system was also activated to assist in managing the leak.
By 8:30 p.m., evacuation orders for residential areas were lifted; however, road closures along key streets, including Western Avenue from Garden Grove Boulevard to Chapman Avenue and Lampson Avenue from Santa Rosalia Avenue to Western Avenue, remained in effect. The Orange County Fire Authority emphasized their commitment to safely returning community members to their homes and expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation throughout the incident.
