Feds Search OC Aerospace Company Behind Garden Grove Hazmat Crisis

GARDEN GROVE, CA — Federal agents served a search warrant at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove Wednesday, where a compromised chemical tank carrying almost 7,000 of toxic chemical forced the evacuation of nearly 50,000 people for several days last month.

According to a report published by KTLA, FBI and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials were searching for evidence related to their investigation into possible violations that may have played a role in the crisis.

According to a search warrant affidavit, investigators were looking to seize any evidence of possible violations of federal requirements to prevent the "accidental release of extremely hazardous substance into the ambient air."

The warrant calls for the seizure of any documents or records referencing employees involved with the storage and handling of the toxic chemical at the facility, and any records pertaining specifically to the chemical methyl methacrylate, or MMA.

Officials are continuing to monitor the air around the plant to make sure it adheres to public safety measures.

The incident started May 21, when the tank at the GKN Aerospace Facility at 12122 Western Ave. overheated and began leaking methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable liquid.

Within the span of a night, the north Orange County town would make national headlines after officials warned that the faulty tank would either either leak or explode, triggering massive evacuations and closures.

According to authorities, there was a potential of a blast or flash fire over many city blocks.

Roughly 50,000 residents were forced to flee their homes, and more than a dozen schools were shut down along with hundreds of businesses.

City News Service contributed to this report.