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  "path": "/news/us/california-evacuate-threat-chemical-explosion",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-24T07:48:48.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Moment petrified reporter dives for cover on air as gunman opens fire at White House",
    "Gunman shot dead outside White House after opening fire near Donald Trump's official residence",
    "Watch the moment Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket explodes after dramatic splashdown",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAuthorities in southern California have ordered the evacuation of roughly 40,000 people across six cities in Orange County following a dangerous situation at an aerospace manufacturing plant.\n\nThe mass displacement centres on Garden Grove, located approximately 38 miles from central Los Angeles, where a storage tank at GKN Aerospace's facility poses a serious explosion risk.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBeyond Garden Grove, evacuation orders now extend to parts of Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster.\n\nGarden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra confirmed to journalists that the affected zone encompasses around 40,000 residents.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNo injuries have been reported thus far.\n\nThe industrial tank at the centre of the emergency contains between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a hazardous substance used in plastic manufacturing that is extremely flammable.\n\nFire crews have been unable to gain control of the tank's valves since it overheated on Thursday, causing it to release vapours into the atmosphere.\n\nBy Friday, the chemical was no longer being emitted, according to officials.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOrange County Fire Authority Division Chief Nick Freeman explained at a press conference that the substance is \"extremely flammable and in its current state very reactive, and can cause that explosion\".\n\nThe tank could either rupture and leak its contents onto the ground, or detonate entirely.\n\nOrange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey warned on Friday: \"This thing is going to fail, and we don't know when... we're doing our best to figure out when or how we can prevent it.\"\n\nHe added: \"We are setting up these evacuations in preparation for these two options: it fails or it blows up.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Moment petrified reporter dives for cover on air as gunman opens fire at White House\n  * Gunman shot dead outside White House after opening fire near Donald Trump's official residence\n  * Watch the moment Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket explodes after dramatic splashdown\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nEmergency crews have managed to stabilise the tank's temperature, providing additional time to devise a solution.\n\nWorkers have also constructed sandbag barriers around the site as a precautionary measure against potential spillage.\n\nThese containment structures aim to prevent the toxic chemical from entering storm drains or contaminating nearby waterways and the ocean.\n\nAccording to the US Environmental Protection Agency, methyl methacrylate can trigger lung and skin irritation, as well as headaches, coughing and wheezing.\n\nThe chemical has also been suggested as a potential cause of colon and rectal cancers, though this link remains unproven.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDr Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county health officer, cautioned that when the substance heats up, it can produce vapours harmful to human health.\n\nGarden Grove mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein sought to reassure residents whilst acknowledging their concerns.\n\nShe said: \"We understand that this is frightening. But the evacuation orders are in place for your safety.\"\n\nA GKN spokesman said on the company's website on Saturday: \"We sincerely apologise for the significant disruption to the many local residents and businesses who have had to be evacuated.\n\n\"We are working tirelessly with all relevant experts to resolve this situation as safely as possible and in a timely manner and are deeply grateful for the continued skill and dedication of the Orange County emergency services.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate amid threat of chemical explosion in California"
}