The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant on Wednesday at a Southern California aerospace facility where a chemical tank overheated last month, forcing 50,000 residents to evacuate. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The warrant, signed by a federal judge last week, authorized the seizure of documents and records related to the "storage, use, or disposal" of methyl methacrylate, the chemical inside the affected tank. Samples of the chemical from the tank were also taken.
The incident occurred on May 24 at the GKN Aerospace plant in Garden Grove. The methyl methacrylate in the tank overheated, releasing hazardous vapors. Authorities evacuated 50,000 people, with many residents housed in temporary shelters.
The FBI investigation aims to determine the cause of the overheating and whether the plant complied with safety regulations. GKN Aerospace has stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
Evacuee Rodger Macias and his wife Alendera Marcias set up a tent outside the Elks Lodge in Garden Grove, joined by their son Adam Marcias. Another resident, Jan De Jonge, sat in a tent with a pet.
American Red Cross volunteers worked at the Freedom Hall evacuation center in Fountain Valley. Cooling operations with water were conducted at the site.
The investigation is ongoing.