Evacuation orders were reissued in parts of Orange County, California, on Friday morning following a chemical leak at a facility in Garden Grove.
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) said the evacuation zone includes areas north of Garden Grove Boulevard, east of Springdale Avenue, west of Dale Street and south of Orangewood Avenue. These neighborhoods are located near Stanton.
“We recognize that evacuations place a significant burden on our community. Yesterday’s cooling operation was successful, and the facility and industrial crews initially made progress toward product removal,” the OCFA said on X. “However, an inoperable valve on the tank has created additional operational challenges, preventing complete mitigation at this time.”
In a separate update, the agency said evacuation orders were being reissued “as a precautionary measure” while crews continued mitigation efforts.
“Due to changing conditions, evacuation orders are being reissued as a precautionary measure while mitigation operations continue,” OCFA added. “Updates will be provided as the situation develops. Thank you for your patience. Our community’s safety remains our top priority.”
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What happened?
Authorities said an industrial tank containing a flammable, toxic and self-heating substance began leaking at an aerospace-related manufacturing facility.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the 12000 block of Western Avenue in Garden Grove just before 3:40 p.m. on Thursday following reports of a hazardous materials incident.
Fire officials said the business operating at the location produces plastic components used in the aerospace industry.
“We are currently responding to a situation at our Garden Grove site. Emergency response protocols were activated immediately, and the area has been secured. Fire Brigade and specialized hazardous material teams are on site and assessing the situation,” a spokesperson for GKN Aerospace told CBS News.
“There are no reports of injuries at this time and our priority remains the safety of our employees, responders, and the surrounding community. We will provide verified updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
Officials have not yet determined what caused the leak. Firefighters said no injuries were reported.
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Evacuation centers open
- Residents of Stanton: Stanton City Hall/Community Center at 7800 Katella Avenue, Stanton.
- Residents of Garden Grove: Rancho Alamitos High School at 11351 Dale Street, Garden Grove.
