Orange County Crews Find Crack in 7,000-Gallon MMA Tank as 50,000 Stay Evacuated

13 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 24

A possible pressure-relieving crack was found Sunday in the leaking methyl methacrylate tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, a development officials said could reshape efforts to prevent an explosion or toxic plume.
The tank still holds an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 gallons, and officials said its temperature had climbed to 100 degrees by Saturday night after rising about 1 degree per hour.
Air monitoring has so far found no gas release or abnormal contamination, with 24 EPA stationary monitors, drones and local testing all reporting normal readings outside the hazard zone.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, while Orange County's district attorney opened an investigation and tipline and evacuees filed a class-action lawsuit against GKN Aerospace.
The crisis is now in its fourth day, with evacuation orders covering a one-mile area across several cities, no injuries reported and no timetable for 50,000 residents to return.

Is an uncontrolled crack in a chemical tank the only thing preventing a massive explosion in Garden Grove?

With 44,000 evacuated, why was a high-risk chemical facility allowed to operate so close to homes?