Additional Coverage:
- FBI seizing evidence at California plant where chemical tank overheated and forced evacuations (nbcnews.com)
Federal Authorities Execute Search Warrant at Southern California Aerospace Plant After Chemical Tank Overheat
Garden Grove, CA – Federal agents conducted a search on Wednesday at GKN Aerospace’s Garden Grove facility following an incident last month when a chemical tank overheated, prompting the evacuation of 50,000 local residents due to explosion concerns.
The warrant, authorized by a federal judge last week, permits the seizure of documents related to the storage, use, and disposal of methyl methacrylate-the highly flammable chemical inside the affected tank. Investigators are also collecting samples from containers suspected to hold methyl methacrylate or other hazardous substances, as well as records concerning equipment used to regulate the chemical’s temperature.
The FBI confirmed its agents are actively investigating GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, known for manufacturing cockpit windows, canopies, and windshields. The tank in question held approximately 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a substance commonly used in plastics and coatings like Plexiglas and dental prosthetics. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to this chemical can cause severe respiratory issues, neurological effects, and irritation to the skin, eyes, and throat.
A spokesperson for GKN said the company is cooperating fully with authorities at their Garden Grove site. At a recent community meeting, GKN representative Steve Carlin expressed apologies for the incident and gratitude toward first responders and local leaders. He acknowledged the disruption and unease caused in the community, emphasizing the company’s longstanding connection to Garden Grove.
City officials and residents have urged GKN to consider relocating tanks containing methyl methacrylate away from residential and commercial areas. However, Carlin noted that the investigation is still in its early stages, making it premature to determine any operational changes. He pledged ongoing transparency throughout the inquiry.
The tank’s overheating was initially reported on May 21, leading to evacuations on May 22. A fortunate crack in the tank helped relieve pressure and prevent a catastrophic explosion, allowing most residents to return home by Memorial Day weekend. Authorities lifted the final evacuation orders after the tank’s temperature stabilized for several hours without sprinkler intervention.
In addition to the federal investigation, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal probe. The DA’s office has issued a preservation letter to GKN, instructing the company to retain all evidence, which GKN’s legal counsel has acknowledged.
Several residents and businesses displaced by the evacuation have filed lawsuits against GKN, citing health complaints such as strong odors, respiratory irritation, headaches, and dizziness. Many question why such a hazardous operation was permitted so close to homes. Orange County health officials have reassured the public that no harmful contamination or fumes were released and have committed to ongoing air quality and drainage monitoring.
This event marks one of two significant hazardous chemical emergencies on the West Coast within a week. Just five days later, a tank rupture at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, involving a corrosive chemical, tragically resulted in 11 fatalities.