Garden Grove chemical tank update: Cleanup efforts to begin and legal claims mount

Orange County Fire Authority officials report progress in stabilizing the tank while police continue to maintain order in the surrounding evacuation zone.

Orange County Fire Authority officials report progress in stabilizing the tank while police continue to maintain order in the surrounding evacuation zone.

In an update issued on Tuesday, fire officials said crews have stopped using an unmanned hose to spray the tank, which had previously been doused with more than 1,200 gallons of water per minute.

Instead, the facility's on-site sprinkler system at GKN Aerospace is keeping the tank cool.

Capt. Wayhowe Huang of the Orange County Fire Authority described the tank's prior conditions, saying, "the temperature that we know where it was holding steady prior to this incident, and with the internal cooling system, it was around the 50 degree range, so I can't say whether or not that's the target that we're aiming for, but I do know that's where the temperature was at prior to this incident."

Officials said valves on the affected tank remain inoperable, preventing crews from offloading the hazardous material.

However, two other two tanks at the site have not been compromised.

"One of the tanks has a neutralizing agent already in it, and we're moving the product from the third tank, which is unaffected, we're moving that product into the other tank that has the neutralizing agent in it," said Huang.

Meanwhile, Garden Grove police reported seven arrests within the evacuation zone, including one involving theft.

"It was one individual that was inside of a side yard, the backyard of a residence, committing a theft," said Sgt. Nick Jensen.

Despite the arrests, police said conditions have remained largely stable for residents returning home. Jensen noted there have been no reported issues from those allowed back into the area.

"I can speak for only Garden Grove, but that's phenomenal," Jensen said. "We want people to come home and have that relief, get to sleep in their own bed and not go, 'Great, now my stuff is broken into or this is gone,' so we're hoping it continues that way."

Eyewitness News caught up with one family that was forced to evacuate for the holiday weekend, just days after purchasing their new home.

Thousands of residents have been allowed to return to their homes following a toxic tank crisis in Garden Grove, but about 16,000 people remain under evacuation orders as officials continue to address remaining hazards.

Overnight, more than 1,000 residents stayed at Red Cross shelters across the county.

Giovana Camacho and her sons were among those returning home, unloading belongings -- including family photo albums -- after spending four days away from the house they just moved into.

"I'm so emotionally happy to go back home," Camacho said.

Her family evacuated from their neighborhood near Killarney and Lamplighter, where authorities have determined conditions are now safe. The initial evacuation forced them to spend Memorial Day weekend with friends, just days after purchasing their home.

"I was so scared, so scared, and devastated, like, I didn't know what to do," Camacho said.

"I cried a lot, yeah... I was telling my mom, 'Let's go. Let's go,'" Camacho's son, Desmond Williams, said.

Other residents also began returning, including Meg Holst and her family, who spent the holiday weekend in a hotel.

"Everything has been very stressful. It was an unplanned holiday trip," Holst said.

Despite the progress, some neighbors expressed lingering concerns about the incident at GK Aerospace and the potential for future dangers.

"It was an eye-opener for us to realize that we have to be better prepared for the next one," said Joanne Lui.

Francis Lui questioned safety measures at the facility.

"That's what frustrates me. They knew they had chemicals like that. Why don't they have the safety measures in place?" he said.

Officials said work is ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats before lifting the remaining evacuation orders.

Millions of gallons of water have been used on the tank at the center of the chemical crisis in Garden Grove, officials said Monday.

Millions of gallons of water have been used on the tank at the center of the chemical crisis in Garden Grove, officials said Monday.

Crews have been using high-capacity water flow from multiple systems operating at full intensity over several days in an attempt to cool the temperature of the tank down.

"So, you got a deluge system with a full throttle on it, and then we have that ground monitor on the ground that's flowing 1,250 gallons a minute, so imagine five days of that," Orange County Fire Authority Chief Craig Covey said. "We're talking millions and millions of gallons."

Seven arrests have been made in Garden Grove during an ongoing chemical tank crisis that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.

Seven arrests have been made in Garden Grove during an ongoing chemical tank crisis that has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, the police chief revealed at a press conference on Monday.

According to Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra, seven total arrests have been made since the incident began -- one person for looting and six for prowling.

"Unfortunately, during incidents like this, we do have bad actors," El-Farra said. "Our partners over at the D.A.'s office are going to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

El-Farra said residents can expect to see an elevated police presence throughout the community, including in areas recently removed from the evacuation zone.