Credit: DisneyA chemical emergency in Orange County has forced approximately 40,000 residents from their homes across six cities, with officials warning that a large industrial tank holding thousands of gallons of a highly toxic and volatile substance could either rupture or explode. The situation escalated significantly over the course of Friday, and by Saturday afternoon California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency.
The emergency is unfolding in Garden Grove and surrounding communities, with evacuation zones extending into portions of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Stanton, and Westminster. Disneyland Resort sits in Anaheim, and several of the evacuation areas and communities under active warning are located just miles from the park’s property.
The crisis began Thursday afternoon when the Orange County Fire Authority responded at 3:30 PM to reports of a hazardous materials incident at GKN Aerospace, located in the 12000 block of Western Avenue in Garden Grove. Upon arrival, crews determined that methyl methacrylate, known as MMA, a volatile liquid used in the production of plastics, was leaking from a 34,000-gallon vat at the facility. The hazmat response team began cooling the tanks and an initial evacuation order was issued and later lifted the same day.
Friday morning changed everything. Officials confirmed that a faulty valve and the inability to remove or neutralize the chemical inside had created a situation they described as irreversible in its progression. The tank was no longer being contained. It was heading toward failure, per The Los Angeles Times.
What Officials Said About the Danger
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey was direct during a Friday news conference: “At that point, we know the tank is going into thermal runaway. There are literally two options left remaining. The tank fails and spills a total of about six to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area. Or, two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up, affecting the tanks around them that have fuel or chemicals in them as well.”
The tank in question holds an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of MMA in liquid form.
Firefighters expanded the evacuation zones Friday and began deploying water sprinklers to cool the exterior of the tank, attempting to slow the thermal runaway reaction and buy time. Elias Picazo, assistant professor of chemistry at USC, explained the strategy to the Los Angeles Times: the goal is to “just wait it out by keeping the tanks cool. So by controlling the runaway, you can slow down the reaction and you can do your best to maintain the pressure.”
Friday night brought a cautiously encouraging update. Covey said that cooling efforts were working and had created an opportunity to consider closer intervention. “Those efforts are succeeding and it’s giving us opportunity to reconsider engaging in close proximity to implement some of the concepts to mitigate this thing,” he said.
Saturday morning reversed that optimism. Officials acknowledged that initial assessments about the effectiveness of the cooling were overstated. The tank temperatures were not dropping as hoped. By Saturday afternoon, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency over the incident.
What Methyl Methacrylate Is and Why It Is Dangerous
MMA in its final polymer form is a familiar industrial material, lightweight, durable, and transparent enough to substitute for glass in certain applications. It shows up in household goods, commercial products, and a range of manufacturing uses. The polymer itself is not toxic.
The liquid monomer form being stored in the tank is another matter entirely.
Picazo described the distinction to the Los Angeles Times: “It’s durable, lightweight, transparent, so it could even be used as a substitute for glass. The polymer itself isn’t toxic, but its liquid MMA predecessor, a monomer, essentially a bunch of single molecules, is.” He added: “The other hazard is the explosion itself. And it sounds like the reaction has already initiated, and that’s where the worry comes in for the explosion.”
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County’s health officer, described what exposure to the vapor can do at varying levels: “Short-term exposure involving inhaling the chemical’s vapors can cause significant irritation in the lungs, the nasal passages, and it can also cause nausea and it can also cause dizziness.” At very high concentrations, she said, “it can really cause severe respiratory distress and hospitalization.”
How Close This Is to Disneyland
Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim, directly within the broader impact area authorities have been warning about throughout the emergency. The evacuation zones currently encompass parts of Anaheim itself, and the surrounding communities of Garden Grove, Stanton, Buena Park, Cypress, and Westminster all sit within a very short distance of the resort. Garden Grove, where the GKN Aerospace facility is located, borders Anaheim directly.
The proximity means that any significant explosion or large-scale release of the chemical vapor would be in close geographic range of one of the most heavily visited tourist destinations in California. Authorities have been explicit that an explosion could affect tanks containing additional fuel and chemicals at the facility, which would compound the scale and reach of any catastrophic failure.
Area hotels in and around the evacuation zones have been responding to the developing situation. The Grand Legacy at the Park, a Good Neighbour Hotel near Disneyland, has been offering emergency room rates of $109 a night to displaced residents, according to posts shared on the hotel’s Instagram. Other nearby hotels have posted statements expressing concern and offering support and accommodations to those affected by the evacuation orders.
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The Current Status
As of the most recent updates, the tank remains unstable. Cooling efforts are ongoing but their effectiveness has been called into question following Saturday morning’s reassessment. Governor Newsom’s state of emergency declaration activates additional state resources and coordination support for the response effort.
The evacuation orders remain in effect for portions of Garden Grove, Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, Stanton, and Westminster. Residents and visitors in affected areas should follow guidance from the Orange County Fire Authority and local emergency management officials. Real-time updates are being issued through official Orange County channels.
If you are in the evacuation zone or near the affected areas, follow official guidance from the Orange County Fire Authority and local emergency management immediately. For the most current information on evacuation orders, shelter locations, and the status of the tank situation, check the Orange County Fire Authority’s official channels and the Orange County emergency management website. If you have been displaced and need accommodation, nearby hotels including the Grand Legacy at the Park have announced availability at reduced emergency rates.
