A hazardous materials response was triggered in Garden Grove on Thursday afternoon after a 34,000-gallon tank released chemical vapors at an aerospace manufacturing facility, forcing authorities to evacuate neighboring residents and businesses.
The chemical involved was methyl methacrylate, an industrial substance used in plastics and manufacturing, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
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The incident occurred in the 12100 block of Western Avenue.
Officials established a temporary reunification center at Rancho Alamito High School for displaced individuals. Emergency responders initially enforced strict perimeter boundaries around the affected industrial zone.
“Out of an abundance of caution, areas north of Garden Grove Blvd, east of Monarch St., south of Orangewood, and west of Beach Blvd are being evacuated,” the Orange County Fire Authority announced.
The containment strategy involved cooling mechanisms after internal temperatures within the storage unit began to rise.
A relief valve discharged internal pressure safely, while an overhead sprinkler system sprayed water over the structure.
Emergency crews deployed specialized equipment, including unmanned firefighting hoses. Private industrial cleanup contractors also arrived to assist with remediation.
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“The company actually creates acrylic plastics for the aerospace industry, and that’s the reason for the chemical,” said Capt.
Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority.
The threat diminished later that evening, allowing officials to scale back evacuation orders. Residential areas received clearance for re-entry at approximately 8:40 p.
m. , as reported by the Orange County Fire Authority.
Although immediate evacuation mandates were rescinded, local traffic management remained affected.
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Portions of Western Avenue and Lampson Avenue stayed blocked off to regular vehicular traffic into the night hours, according to City News Service.
