Potential crack' in California Chemical disaster

Experts trying to prevent a tank of hazardous chemicals from exploding in Southern California found a "potential crack" in the container that might be reducing the pressure, a fire official confirmed.



Since Friday, officials have warned that the tank, which contains methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical used in plastics and manufacturing, could rupture and spill up to 26,500 liters of toxic material or explode and endanger other tanks on the GKN Aerospace site.



Evacuation orders were issued on Friday for an area in Garden Grove, a suburb roughly 48 kilometers south of Los Angeles.



Tens of thousands of people are covered by the evacuation orders. TJ McGovern, interim fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, said in a video message posted on social media that a team of specialists on Saturday night found "a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially be relieving some of the pressure in there."



California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday said he had requested that President Donald Trump issue a federal emergency declaration to support response operations. Newsom declared a state of emergency for Orange County on Saturday.