By SDCN Staff
Santa Ana, CA–The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has launched an anonymous tip hotline and online reporting portal as investigators seek information about the May 21 hazardous materials incident at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems Inc. in Garden Grove.
The incident prompted the evacuation of more than 50,000 residents across Orange County after a chemical storage tank containing an extremely toxic substance was deemed at risk of exploding, creating a significant public safety threat and triggering a large-scale emergency response.
Hazmat experts, led by the Orange County Fire Authority, have been working to stop a 7,000 gallon chemical tank filled with methyl methacrylate, an extremely toxic chemical, from exploding and potentially igniting a large fireball at the Garden Grove plant.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the chemical tank remains under threat of exploding.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has been at the unified incident command center monitoring the situation and working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to collect drone footage and close ups of the facility tanks and cooling system.
“This is an incredibly volatile situation with extraordinary efforts being made by first responders to prevent a potentially catastrophic disaster,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Given the very real risk to human life as a result of this event, it is crucial that anyone who has information about this incident or the industrial operations of GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Inc. come forward and report it so that it can be thoroughly investigated by law enforcement. We are continuing to monitor this situation minute by minute and we are forever grateful for the superhuman efforts by the emergency responders who are doing the impossible in order to try to avoid a mass casualty incident.”
Residents who live or work in the area should follow evacuation orders and directions from emergency personnel.They are urged to avoid the area until the incident has been resolved.
Anyone with information related to the circumstances leading up to this incident, including but not limited to specific details of the release, information about the industrial operations of the facility, the quality and frequency of maintenance of the tanks and systems at issue, and any other relevant information at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, is encouraged to call the Orange County District Attorney Anonymous Tip Hotline at (714) 347-8714 or fill out an anonymous online form. Anonymous tips can also be emailed totipster@ocdistrictattorney.gov
The information will assist law enforcement in investigating the origin of the event and identify those responsible.
