Chemical Leak in Southern California Triggers Mass Evacuations

(MENAFN) A hazardous chemical leak in Southern California has led to evacuation orders affecting around 40,000 residents, as emergency officials warn the situation could escalate into a major explosion, according to reports.

The Orange County Fire Authority said the incident began Thursday in Garden Grove, about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles, and has worsened over the past day.

Officials expressed concern that the situation could either result in a structural failure releasing large quantities of toxic material or trigger a thermal event leading to an explosion.

“It fails or it blows up,” OCFA Division Chief Craig Covey told reporters.

Authorities said the affected 34,000-gallon tank contains methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable and toxic chemical used in acrylic plastic production. The system reportedly failed after overheating, causing vapors to leak into the air. The compromised tank is located near two other chemical storage units.

“The tank that is in the biggest crisis is in fact unable to be secured and mitigated,” Covey said.

“There are literally two options left,” he added. “One, the tank fails and spills a total of about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area, or two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up, affecting the tanks that are around them that have fuel or the chemicals in them as well.”

MENAFN23052026000045017640ID1111156901