More than 100 individuals and local businesses have filed lawsuits against GKN Aerospace following a chemical tank emergency in Garden Grove, Orange County, that forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate for several days. The lawsuits, filed in both federal and state courts, allege that the U.K.-based company was negligent in maintaining a safe facility, particularly given its location in a densely populated area.
The emergency began on May 21 when a tank containing 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable chemical used in plastics and coatings, began to overheat. Although no explosion occurred, the evacuation order affected a wide area for three to five days until crews stabilized the tank.
Plaintiffs report a range of hardships, including delayed evacuation notices, health issues such as nausea, headaches, and respiratory problems, and financial burdens from hotel stays and lost income. One plaintiff, Debbie Cohran, who lives about 500 feet from the facility, said she was not told to evacuate until several hours after the leak started and experienced nausea and headaches for days.
Another, Melanie Rose Burciaga, had just given birth and had to leave the hospital when evacuation orders came. Juan Diego Orozco, a street repair worker, suffered a headache, vomiting, and difficulty breathing, requiring hospital treatment.
Businesses also suffered significant losses, with an estimated 3,000 forced to close and another 3,000 seeing revenue drops, according to lawyer Richard McCune, who filed a class action on behalf of Big Rob’s Pizzeria and Fruit Caboose Concessions. The emergency occurred over Memorial Day weekend, a peak revenue period for many food service businesses.
On Wednesday, FBI agents served a search warrant at the facility to collect documents related to the storage, use, or disposal of methyl methacrylate. The Environmental Protection Agency joined the investigation, seeking evidence of potential federal environmental crimes.
GKN Aerospace spokesperson Sarah Hasse Blodgett said the company is cooperating with authorities. Senior vice president Steve Carlin apologized at a community meeting, acknowledging the unsettling nature of the event given the company’s long history in the area.
Legal experts expect the federal cases to be consolidated and state cases moved under one judge for efficiency. The FBI investigation is seen by lawyers as potentially aiding their cases.