Fire officials in Garden Grove, southern California, say they have identified a potential crack in a hazardous chemical storage tank that may be helping relieve pressure and reduce the risk of an explosion. The tank contains methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical used in plastics and manufacturing. Officials say they have been working since Friday after concerns that the container could rupture, potentially spilling as much as 26,500 litres (about 7,000 gallons) of toxic material, or leading to a vapor explosion that could also endanger nearby tanks at an aerospace facility.
Across reports, crews are preparing for the possibility of a spill by setting up response measures such as diking, damming and diverting the liquid into a holding area. NBC News, the South China Morning Post, Free Malaysia Today, and other outlets describe Sunday’s assessment from fire officials that the suspected crack might be releasing pressure inside the tank, which could lower explosion risk. 7News Australia characterizes the incident as potentially among the worst of its kind in California, while still focusing on efforts to prevent escalation as responders continue their work.
