Firefighters gathered "positive intel" during an overnight operation that could shift the response strategy for the chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove, officials said during a Sunday morning update posted on social media.
A specialized team of subject matter experts developed a plan to get eyes on the tank. During the operation, firefighters were able to visually examine the tank and discovered a potential crack, which may be helping relieve pressure.
"During that operation, our firefighters went in, and they were able to visualize the tank," said Interim Orange County Fire Authority Chief TJ McGovern. "What they found was a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially be relieving some of the pressure in there."
He said officials are now reviewing and confirming that information, which could play a key role in determining how crews move forward.
"We took that information, we got data on it, and right now this morning, what we're doing is we are vetting and validating that information," McGovern said. "With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event."
McGovern said the operation was successful, although the situation is not yet resolved.
"We're not there yet, but this was a step in a right direction, and there's going to be a lot more coming shortly," he said.
"Your protection, your life safety is our paramount responsibility right now," McGovern added. "We know you're out of your homes, we want to get you back, but we cannot do that until it's deemed safe."
