Evacuees Return Home as Threat From California Chemical Tank Explosion Eases
"For those that remain impacted, I know this may be frustrating. That number is approximately 16,000 of you. Please understand that we are doing this for your safety, and we will continue to work diligently," Mr El-Farra said.
A dangerous chemical scare that forced tens of thousands from their homes in southern California eased on Sunday, with officials saying conditions had improved enough for many residents to return.
Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra said authorities were able to shrink the evacuation area after reviewing fresh data and consulting subject matter experts.
- Advertisement -
“For those that remain impacted, I know this may be frustrating. That number is approximately 16,000 of you. Please understand that we are doing this for your safety, and we will continue to work diligently,” Mr El-Farra said.
Fears that the flammable chemical inside the tank could ignite or release toxic fumes led officials on Friday to order evacuations across the densely populated Garden Grove area in Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles and about 8km from Disneyland.
The emergency began late last week after officials detected a leak in the tank and later found a crack, though they did not say whether the two were connected.
“There is currently no active leak, and continuous live atmospheric monitoring confirms there are no chemicals leaking,” county fire officials said.
Incident Commander Craig Covey of the Orange County Fire Authority said pressure inside the tank was continuing to drop, while its temperature had fallen to 34C from 38C.
“The crack is there. We have verified that it’s there, and the tank has released its pressure,” Covey said.
“That is incredibly positive news as we turn the corner on this incident,” Mr Covey said.
Craig Covey said that the temperature and pressure in the tank were declining
Federal regulators sent in a team of specialists to help assess what could happen next. EPA chief Lee Zeldin told CNN on Sunday that the “most catastrophic scenario” would involve one tank exploding and setting off others nearby.
Still, Mr Zeldin said “the most likely scenario” was “a low-volume release” that authorities could monitor, neutralise and contain.
The tank belongs to GKN Aerospace, which says on its website that it operates 32 manufacturing locations in 12 countries.
The company, headquartered in Birmingham, UK, develops airplane technology and said in a statement Sunday that it is “working around the clock to mitigate the risk of a leak”.
Disneyland officials said the “resort remains open to guests,” adding that they were closely monitoring developments.
According to the EPA, methyl methacrylate can irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes in humans. In cases of acute or prolonged exposure, it can also trigger respiratory and neurological reactions.
