Federal authorities served a search warrant on Wednesday at a Southern California aerospace facility where a chemical tank overheated last month, forcing 50,000 residents to evacuate due to fears of a catastrophic explosion.

Investigation Underway

The warrant, signed by a federal judge, approved the seizure of documents and records related to the storage, use, or disposal of methyl methacrylate, the chemical inside the affected tank. The FBI confirmed its agents were searching GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems in the Orange County city of Garden Grove.

GKN Aerospace makes cockpit windows, canopies, and windshields. The tank that overheated contained 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, which is highly flammable. Exposure to the chemical can cause serious respiratory problems, neurological issues, and irritation to the skin, eyes, and throat.

Community Concerns

Garden Grove city leaders and residents urged GKN Aerospace to consider moving these tanks of methyl methacrylate off of the Garden Grove plant, so the chemical would be far away from residents and businesses. About a dozen people and businesses that were among the 50,000 evacuated during the chemical emergency have filed lawsuits against the company.

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs said they are pleased the federal government is investigating and that the FBI’s involvement will help bring justice to those who were harmed. GKN Aerospace’s Steve Carlin spoke at a community meeting, apologizing to the community and thanking firefighters and local leaders who responded to the incident.

Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.