GARDEN GROVE, California: Tens of thousands of residents in Southern California were ordered to evacuate after authorities warned that a massive tank containing toxic chemicals at an aerospace manufacturing facility had entered a “crisis” state and could either rupture or explode.
The emergency unfolded in Orange County’s Garden Grove area, southeast of Los Angeles, where officials said nearly 50,000 people were forced to leave their homes as fears mounted over a potentially catastrophic industrial accident.
Tens of thousands of people in Southern California have been told to leave their homes, with officials issuing a dire warning that a chemical tank at an aerospace facility is in “crisis” and will either leak or explode. https://t.co/QWwN3ru6p5 pic.twitter.com/YqSrTY0LsR
— ABC News (@ABC) May 23, 2026
The chemical tank, located at a facility operated by aerospace company GKN Aerospace, contains around 7,000 gallons (26,000 litres) of methyl methacrylate — a highly flammable and hazardous chemical used in plastic manufacturing.
Authorities said the tank began leaking earlier this week, sending toxic fumes into surrounding neighbourhoods located about five miles from Disneyland.
Emergency crews warned that rising temperatures and pressure inside the container created the risk of a major explosion capable of triggering a chain reaction involving nearby tanks.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin described the situation as extremely serious, saying the “most catastrophic scenario” would involve one tank exploding and igniting others nearby.
“That’s the reason why you see such a big evacuation,” Zeldin told CNN.
Officials stressed that the situation remained unstable, though firefighters reported a potentially positive development after approaching the tank Saturday night and discovering what appeared to be a crack that may be releasing pressure gradually.
Orange County Fire Authority interim chief TJ McGovern said the discovery provided emergency teams with “positive intel” that could help reduce the immediate explosion risk.
“We’re not there yet, but this was a step in the right direction,” McGovern said in a statement posted on X.
Despite the development, evacuation orders remained in effect Sunday as experts continued assessing the tank’s stability.
The EPA says exposure to methyl methacrylate can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system, while prolonged exposure may cause neurological effects.
Responders were also working to contain any spilled chemicals from reaching drainage systems and waterways connected to the Pacific Ocean.
GKN Aerospace, headquartered in Birmingham, United Kingdom, said it was “working around the clock” to contain the incident and apologised for the disruption caused to local residents.
Disneyland officials said the resort remained open while monitoring the evolving situation closely.
The cause of the leak remains under investigation.
