Fire officials in Southern California provided new details about a dangerous industrial incident involving a massive tank filled with toxic chemicals in Orange County.

According to Interim Orange County Fire Authority Chief TJ McGovern, hazmat crews entered the site and discovered what may be a crack in the chemical storage tank, increasing concerns that the structure could fail.

Authorities have been monitoring the tank closely because of the potential risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous materials into nearby communities.

During an interview with CNN, McGovern explained that emergency teams are continuing to evaluate the stability of the tank and are working with environmental and hazardous materials specialists to determine the safest response.Officials are reportedly using cooling operations and monitoring equipment to reduce the chances of ignition or catastrophic failure.

The incident has raised concerns among residents living near the affected area, with some describing strong chemical odors and worries about possible health effects.Federal and local agencies, including environmental authorities, have also become involved in the response effort.Emergency officials emphasized that public safety remains the top priority while crews continue around-the-clock operations.The CNN segment also referenced comments from Environmental Protection Agency officials who warned that the tank could potentially fail.Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact extent of the damage or whether evacuations may become necessary.Investigations into the cause of the overheating and structural concerns are ongoing.