The FBI served a search warrant to gather materials from the chemical facility of a Garden Grove aerospace manufacturer whose tank overheated, causing mass evacuations.
Wednesday morning, federal agents were spotted searching the premises after delivering a warrant to military manufacturer GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems. A little over two weeks ago, a chemical tank containing methyl methacrylate overheated in a residential area of Garden Grove and was at risk of exploding due to improper upkeep.
Wednesday morning, federal agents and vehicles were spotted searching the premises after delivering the warrant to GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems.
“The City of Garden Grove is aware of reported federal law enforcement activity today at the GKN Aerospace facility on Western Avenue,” Johnathan Garcia, a public information officer for the city, said in an email to Los Angeles. “The City is awaiting additional information from the appropriate authorities and will continue to monitor the situation closely. As more information becomes available, the City will share updates with the community through official channels.”
The warrant reportedly orders federal agents to gather “substance within any tank, tote, drum, vat, vessel or container suspected of containing or having previously contained methyl methacrylate and/or any hazardous substance,” as well as any equipment “used to control or regulate the temperature.”
The tank’s cooling system had malfunctioned, resulting in an intense pressure build-up and the possibility of an explosion. Reports showed that the cooling system’s valves were not properly functioning, causing the heat to rapidly rise in the tank.
Both officials and residents were concerned over the leak and how it would affect public health. The chemical present in the tank, methyl methacrylate, is known to cause irritation of the skin, eyes and lungs, and potential neurological issues from prolonged exposure.
In a Garden Grove City Council Meeting, residents shared their concerns over the general presence of GKN, including the company’s United States military manufacturing contract, as well as their experiences having to evacuate and find temporary shelter.
“City and county officials have told us numerous times that there was no actual escaped or leaked fumes after the fact. However, this is incongruent with the reported experience of many community members,” Kayleen Kuykendall, a Garden Grove resident, said in a statement to the Garden Grove City Council. “We want accountability from GKN and we also want accountability from the people who have enabled them.”
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However, GKN Inspector and Union Representative Alex Ramirez shared that workers are also affected by the spill and subsequent closure of the plant because they are out of work.
“In all those years that I’ve worked there, I’ve never been with a safer company,” Ramirez said. “I get a text every day, a call every day, ‘Do I start looking for another job?’ I don’t know, that’s what I keep saying.”
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