LIVE UPDATES: Garden Grove chemical crisis reaches 6th day
GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - Emergency crews continue to work around the clock to monitor a chemical plant in Garden Grove as an estimated 16,000 Orange County residents remain under evacuation orders.
Tuesday marks Day 6 of crews responding to GKN Aerospace after one of its chemical tanks overheated to dangerous levels. On Monday, it was determined that the threat of a massive chemical explosion was eliminated. However, fire authorities continue to emphasize the scene remains active and dangerous.
See the latest updates below.
Looting arrest
8:40 a.m.: The Garden Grove Police Department announced a person was arrested for looting in the evacuation zone.
GKN Aerospace releases a statement
8 a.m.: On Tuesday, a GKN Aerospace Transparency System Inc. spokesperson released the following statement:
"On May 25, local officials announced at 6pm PDT that, based on data and consultation with experts, the mandatory evacuation area has been reduced by 65%, effective immediately. Officials reported that there have been no leaks or contamination, and that residents outside of the mandatory evacuation area can return to their homes.
We are continuing to work around the clock with the OCFA, the EPA and all relevant federal, state, and local agencies. We remain extremely thankful for their dedication and hard work and will continue working alongside them and community partners as recovery efforts move forward.
We apologize for the ongoing disruption this incident is causing, and our priority remains the safety of our neighbors and our community. We request that all those affected follow instructions issued by local authorities and emergency personnel at this time."
Former GKN employee speaks out
7 a.m.: A former GKN employee, who worked at the Santa Ana facility, spoke to FOX 11 and raised concerns.
Former GKN Aerospace employee raises concerns
FOX 11 is learning more about the company that controls the tanks that led to a chemical crisis in Garden Grove.
Evacuated OC residents begin returning home
6 a.m.: Thousands of residents are returning to their homes on Tuesday, after authorities eased evacuation orders for a majority of the 50,000 people who were told to leave because of a failing toxic chemical tank in Garden Grove.
The reduction of the evacuation zone to an area about 65% smaller allowed around 34,000 to get back into their residences.
"I want to reassure everyone who is in outside of the new evacuation zone that when you go home, you can feel safe. There was no contamination. There were no fumes. There are no vapors that came from this incident. There was no leak. So it should fit. You should feel comfortable going home," an Orange County health official said.
Chemical crisis: 16K remain under evacuation orders in OC
Authorities say the threat of a massive chemical explosion has been "eliminated."
SCHOOL CLOSURES
The following Garden Grove Unified schools within the evacuation zones will remain closed Tuesday, and possibly Wednesday:
- Alamitos Intermediate
- Barker Elementary
- Bryant Elementary
- Bell Intermediate
- Carver Early Childhood Education Center
- Enders Elementary
- Garden Park Elementary
- Lawrence Elementary
- Pacifica High School
- Patton Elementary
- Rancho Alamitos High School
- Wakeham Elementary
EVACUATIONS
Authorities downsized the evacuation zone on Monday evening.
EVACUATION CENTERS
Evacuation centers have been established at the following locations:
- Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley
- Golden West College in Huntington Beach
- Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach
- Savannah High School in Anaheim
- John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma
- Freedom Hall in Fountain Valley
- Orange County Fair & Event Center for RV evacuees
- OC Animal Care Center in Tustin (open to house dogs, cats and small pets)
In addition, two Orange County AKC pet relief trailers have been deployed in wake of the chemical leak.
Mile Square Regional Park
16801 Euclid Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
John F. Kennedy High School
8281 Walker Street
La Palma, CA 90623
The backstory:
The incident began on Thursday, May 21 at GKN Aerospace on Western Avenue in Garden Grove.
That's where a 34,000-gallon storage tank containing methyl methacrylate (MMA), a toxic, highly flammable liquid chemical used to manufacture acrylic plastics, began to overheat.
During the earlier stages of the investigation, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Division Chief Craig Covey said a faulty valve on the tank prevented crews from off-loading or introducing a neutralizing stabilizer into the chemical material.
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