Evacuation zone reduced with threat of massive explosion eliminated at Orange County chemical tank

Orange County's top prosecutor, District Attorney Todd Spitzer, has launched a criminal investigation into the chemical tank incident in Garden Grove.

Orange County's top prosecutor, District Attorney Todd Spitzer, has launched a criminal investigation into the chemical tank incident in Garden Grove.

His office has established an anonymous tipline and online reporting form, calling on anyone with information to come forward. Spitzer says he is also ordering GKN to preserve records regarding the incident.

"I've served them with notice not to destroy documents, not to throw anything out. Don't get the shredder started. Don't do anything. I wanted to make sure they couldn't claim after the fact, when we're all analyzing what happened, potentially in a court of law, say, 'No one told us we couldn't run our shredders 24/7.' The fact of the matter is, we don't have any indication, we're starting from basically zero, and we're going to engage in a full-blown investigation, either in conjunction with other law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, or on our own," Spitzer said. "What's important is everybody's safety. I don't want anybody to think about the work the district attorney's office is doing. I'm doing the work I'm doing because I've been a litigator for over 35 years, and I know how these things work out, and some day we may have to tell the story about how it happened and who's responsible."

Anyone with information related to the circumstances of what led up to the 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 at www.ocdistrictattorney.gov.

Anonymous tips can also be emailed to tipster@ocdistrictattorney.gov.

In an update on Sunday evening, OCFA officials said they have discovered multiple cracks in an unstable chemical tank at GKN Aerospace, not just one.

In an update on Sunday evening, Orange County Fire Authority officials said they have discovered multiple cracks in an unstable chemical tank at GKN Aerospace, not just one.

A heavy, constant flow of water is being used to try to cool the outside of the tank. At last check, officials said the internal temperature of the tank was over 100 degrees. The gauge inside is unable to read past 100 degrees, OCFA said.

Experts say the cracks do not appear to be any contaminants currently leaking from the tank. Firefighters are hopeful the cracks will relieve some pressure, leading to a more favorable outcome.

Just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday, AIR7 captured video of firefighters climbing a ladder up to the top of the tank.

It's unclear what the firefighters were doing, but we do know the only way to measure the internal temperature of the tanks is to physically go up to them.

The county announced that it is opening the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa to help relieve the shelters, providing space for evacuees in RVs.

Many shelters have opened to help evacuees impacted by the evacuation order in Orange County, but they're filling up almost as quickly as officials can open them.

Approximately 50,000 people live within the evacuation zone, which impacts the entire city of Stanton, plus parts of Garden Grove, West Anaheim, Cypress, Westminster and Buena Park.

The county announced that it is opening the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa to help relieve the shelters. The fairgrounds will be available for 100 RV evacuees, according to Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley.

"Families with RVs under evacuation order can head to the Orange County Fair & Event Center for a safe and secure place to stay awaiting removal of evacuation orders," said Vice Chair Foley. "After speaking to the CEO of the fairgrounds, the site can accommodate 25 RVs with utility hookups at the campground, and 75 more in the parking lot. The site is patrolled by security and will offer access to restrooms."

The entrance is at Gate 4 into Lot E off of Arlington Drive. Anyone with questions can call the OC Fair Security Office at (714) 708-1588.

Eyewitness News spoke to frustrated residents at one of the shelters in Anaheim, which was at capacity as of Sunday evening. The Red Cross estimates 160 people are staying at Savanna High School.

Volunteers were seen serving lunch at the shelter earlier in the day.

The Red Cross estimates 640 people have sought refuge at six shelters across the county.

With most shelters at capacity, Eyewitness News spotted many families staying in their cars in the parking lot of the shelters.

County leaders and the Red Cross said they were working to open more shelters for evacuees.

Approximately 50,000 people have been forced from their homes due to a chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove. Now, California State Parks are asking evacuees not to go to state beaches to stay overnight.

"State beach parking lots are not approved evacuation centers and do not have the facilities or resources to accommodate overnight guests," California State Parks said in a post on social media.

Impacted residents can find a list of evacuation shelters and check their availability at ggcity.org and www.ocsheriff.gov.

The evacuation zone includes the entire city of Stanton, plus parts of Garden Grove, West Anaheim, Cypress, Westminster and Buena Park.