CA declares state of emergency as fire crews race to contain toxic chemical leak

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as fire crews work to contain a failing chemical tank in Orange County holding thousands of gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable substance used in plastic manufacturing. Officials report there is currently no active leak, though tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders as crews work to prevent a catastrophic explosion or major spillage, with hopes that pressure building inside the tank is being safely released through a crack that has formed. The aerospace facility operated by GKN Aerospace has been sprayed with water to stabilize temperatures, and emergency teams have created containment systems to prevent any chemicals from reaching storm drains or the ocean.