Thousands evacuated in Southern California due to failing chemical tank
Thousands of residents in Garden Grove, California, were evacuated due to a failing chemical tank that posed a risk of leaking or exploding. Firefighters are working to stabilize the situation while officials have set up evacuation shelters for those affected. Health officials are monitoring air quality, but no toxic vapors have been detected so far.
- ▪Officials ordered the evacuation of tens of thousands of people in Garden Grove due to a failing chemical tank.
- ▪The tank contains methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical used in manufacturing.
- ▪Health officials have not detected any toxic vapors in the air as of now.
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Thousands evacuated in Southern California due to failing chemical tankSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 23, 2026, 09:55 AMUpdated May 23, 2026, 09:55 AMMay 22 - Officials ordered tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the Los Angeles suburb of Garden Grove on Friday due to a failing chemical tank that was likely to either leak or explode, possibly releasing toxic vapor into the air, first responders said.Firefighters doused the tanks with water using a mechanical device that kept humans at a safe distance, stabilizing the temperature and "buying us time," said Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, in a video posted on social media.In a previous video, Covey had said there were two options remaining, either…
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