Residents and businesses across several blocks in Garden Grove were evacuated on Thursday afternoon after a vapor release from a 34,000-gallon tank containing methyl methacrylate – an industrial chemical used in plastics and manufacturing at an aerospace plant – prompted a hazmat response.
The evacuations were later lifted, but several streets remained closed into the evening.
The incident occurred in the 12100 block of Western Avenue, the Orange County Fire Authority posted on X.
The area under evacuation was north of Garden Grove Boulevard, east of Western Avenue, south of Orangewood Avenue and west of Beach Boulevard.
A reunification center was set up at Rancho Alamito High School.
The evacuation orders were lifted for the residential areas around 8:40 p.m., the OCFA said. But parts of Western and Lampson avenues remained closed.
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“The company actually creates acrylic plastics for the aerospace industry, and that’s the reason for the chemical,” Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said.
The tank’s temperature had increased, activating a relief valve designed to safely release vapors, OCFA posted. An overhead sprinkler system also cooled the tank.
Firefighters brought in large, unmanned firefighting hoses to help with the procedure, and industrial cleanup contractors also got involved, the OCFA said.
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No injuries were reported.
City News Service contributed to this report.