40,000 Southern Californians ordered to evacuate amid threat of chemical explosion
Authorities in Orange County, California, have ordered the evacuation of 40,000 residents due to a potential chemical explosion. The evacuation was prompted by issues with a tank containing methyl methacrylate at an aerospace manufacturing facility. While the tank is currently stable, officials are concerned about its volatile nature and the inability to control its valves.
- ▪The evacuation order affects parts of Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster.
- ▪Methyl methacrylate is a toxic chemical used in the manufacture of resins and plastics.
- ▪No injuries have been reported, and the tank is not currently emitting the chemical.
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U.S. news40,000 Southern Californians ordered to evacuate amid threat of chemical explosion Authorities in Orange County say they’re unable to control the valves on a tank that contains methyl methacrylate, a chemical used in the manufacture of plexiglass. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Water is sprayed on a tank that overheated at an aerospace plant in Garden Grove, Calif., on Friday.Jeff Gritchen / The Orange County Register via APShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 22, 2026, 6:35 PM EDTBy Dennis RomeroAn estimated 40,000 people in Orange County, California, have been ordered to evacuate over fears that a tank containing a toxic chemical may explode, officials said Friday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive…
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