US3 min(s) read
Published 11:01 26 May 2026 GMT
A map shows everyone in the "blast zone" surrounding a potentially explosive chemical tank in California.
The latest emergency map impacts around 16,000 residents, down from the original 50,000 people who were previously ordered to evacuate over fears the tank could explode or release toxic fumes, ABC7 reported.
Under the updated evacuation boundaries, the restricted zone stretches from Orangewood Avenue to the north, Dale Street to the east, Knott Street to the west, and Garden Grove Boulevard to the south.
Officials said the decision to scale back the evacuation zone came after experts reviewed new data linked to the ongoing chemical emergency.
"For those that remain impacted, I know this may be frustrating. That number is approximately 16,000 of you. Please understand that we are doing this for your safety, and we will continue to work diligently," Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra said, per RTE.
The crisis began late last week after authorities found a leak and later identified a crack in a chemical storage tank containing 26,000 litres of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable liquid used to make plastics.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methyl methacrylate can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. It can also cause respiratory and neurological reactions.
Concerns that the explosive tank, located in Garden Grove in Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles, and roughly 8km from Disneyland, could ignite or leak toxic fumes sparked emergency evacuations across the heavily populated area on Friday.
Federal regulators were called in to assist, with EPA chief Lee Zeldin warning that the "most catastrophic scenario" would involve one tank exploding and triggering nearby tanks to explode as well.
However, Zeldin said "the most likely scenario" was "a low-volume release" that crews would be able to contain and neutralize.
Emergency crews say the situation has now started to stabilize.
"There is currently no active leak, and continuous live atmospheric monitoring confirms there are no chemicals leaking," county fire officials said.
Orange County Fire Authority Incident Commander Craig Covey confirmed the crack in the tank remains, but said pressure inside the tank has dropped.
"The crack is there. We have verified that it's there, and the tank has released its pressure," Covey said. "That is incredibly positive news as we turn the corner on this incident."
Officials also shared that the tank’s temperature had dropped from 38C to 34C.
The tank is owned by GKN Aerospace, which said it is "working around the clock to mitigate the risk of a leak".
Disneyland officials confirmed the nearby resort "remains open to guests" while continuing to monitor the situation closely.
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