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FBI raids CA site where overheated chemical tank forced evacuations

The FBI has executed a search warrant at the Southern California facility where an overheated chemical tank prompted the evacuation of roughly 50,000 residents last month amid fears of an explosion.

FBI raids CA site where overheated chemical tank forced evacuations

TL;DR

  • The FBI executed a search warrant at a Southern California facility.
  • An overheated chemical tank at the facility prompted the evacuation of approximately 50,000 residents last month.
  • The warrant authorizes the seizure of documents and records related to methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical.
  • Investigators are also seeking samples from containers suspected of holding methyl methacrylate or other hazardous substances.
  • The incident occurred on May 21 at the GKN facility in Orange County, where 6,000-7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate became unstable.
  • Authorities issued an evacuation order for Garden Grove and Stanton due to fears of an explosion or toxic plume.
  • The emergency stemmed from a valve malfunction in the pressure relief system of the tank.