Orange County Leaders Urge Accountability Before GKN Aerospace's Return To Full Operation After Chemical Tank Crisis

CBS LA

Updated on: September 29, 2026

Orange County residents and community activists are demanding clarity and accountability ahead of the planned return to full operations for GKN Aerospace, the aerospace facility at the center of a chemical tank crisis that forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in May.

GKN officials last month said that they planned to return to full operation on Monday, but have since delayed those plans. Despite this, community leaders say that the company still has not addressed concerns regarding the potential long-term health impacts of the facility's return, and they have not yet acted on the proposed restrictions on hazardous material manufacturing near homes and schools.

Back in May, approximately 50,000 residents in six Orange County neighborhoods surrounding the aerospace plant were told to leave their homes due to the risk of a potentially catastrophic explosion from a compromised tank containing a highly volatile substance called methyl methacrylate, Orange County Fire Authority crews said at the time.

Click here for the full story via CBS Los Angeles Metro Area

CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.