About 50,000 residents in Orange County, California, were ordered to evacuate after authorities warned of a potential explosion involving an overheated chemical tank at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove.

The incident began Thursday when officials responded to a vapor release from a storage tank containing methyl methacrylate (MMA), a chemical used in industrial manufacturing that can cause respiratory and skin irritation if exposed.

Fire officials reported that the tank’s internal temperature continued to rise after its relief systems activated but failed to fully cool the contents due to clogged valves, reaching around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.MMA is typically stable at much lower temperatures, and officials warned that continued heating could lead to a leak or catastrophic explosion.

Emergency crews attempted to stabilize the situation by using a method described as freezing the chemical from the outside inward, similar to forming an ice cube, though authorities acknowledged the approach might not succeed.

The tank is believed to contain roughly 7,000 gallons of the substance, and officials have not determined the exact conditions under which it could ignite or explode.

The Environmental Protection Agency deployed multiple air monitoring stations around the area and reported no detected contaminants in the air so far.The evacuation order displaced tens of thousands of residents, many of whom sought shelter in evacuation centers, hotels, or with family.

Although nearby attractions such as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm remain outside the evacuation zone, authorities urged all residents within the affected area to comply with evacuation orders due to unpredictable wind conditions in the event of a failure.California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to mobilize additional resources.The facility’s operator has faced prior regulatory violations and financial penalties related to emissions and permitting issues.Officials continue to monitor the situation closely while working to prevent a potential disaster.