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Orange County residents asked to evacuate area around Garden Grove toxic tank that could explode
Residents of Garden Grove have been asked to evacuate on Friday, after officials warn that a tank holding toxic chemical could explode.
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CBS LA
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Topline:
Residents and businesses in Garden Grove and surrounding cities on Friday were told to evacuate an area around a tank full of toxic, flammable chemicals after public safety officials warned it could explode. on Friday were told to evacuate an area around a tank full of toxic, flammable chemicals after public safety officials warned it could explode.
Evacuation zone: Officials are asking people to evacuate the area between Trask Avenue to the north, Ball Road to the south, Valley View Street to the east and Dale Street to the west. The evacuation zone stretch across Garden Grove, Cypress, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster.
Evacuation zone announced Friday.
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Screengrab from city of Garden Grove website.
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The backstory: Thursday afternoon, vapor began seeping from storage tanks holding an industrial chemical used in plastics manufacturing at an aerospace manufacturing facility about a mile north of the 22 Freeway in Garden Grove. Evacuation orders were issued but later lifted after officials thought the situation was under control. But this morning, evacuation orders were reissued and expanded because hazmat teams have been unable to secure the largest tank, officials said.
What to expect: “There are literally two options left remaining,” Craig Covey, division chief with Orange County Fire Authority said at a news conference. “One, the tank fails and spills a total of about 6 to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot and that area. Or two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up, affecting the tanks that are around them that have fuel or the chemicals in them as well.”
Evacuation centers: Two evacuation centers have been set up:
- Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center, 13641 Deodara Dr., Garden Grove
- Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Ave., Cypress
Where can I get updates?
- Orange County Fire Authority on X or Facebook
- County public information hotline: (714) 628-7085
- City of Garden Grove
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