FBI seizing evidence at California plant where chemical tank overheated and forced evacuations

Federal investigators have seized evidence from a Southern California aerospace plant following a chemical tank incident that prompted widespread evacuations. The FBI served a search warrant at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems in Garden Grove, focusing on the storage, use, and disposal of methyl methacrylate, the chemical involved.

The warrant authorizes the seizure of documents, records, and samples of the substance. Agents are also seeking information on equipment used to control the chemical's temperature. The tank in question contained approximately 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable substance known to cause severe health issues upon exposure.

This federal action follows a May incident where an overheating tank forced the evacuation of 50,000 residents due to fears of an explosion. While authorities have since eliminated the explosion risk, the Orange County District Attorney's Office is also conducting a criminal investigation. Several lawsuits have been filed against GKN Aerospace by individuals and businesses affected by the evacuation.

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We have sent a preservation letter to GKN directing them not to modify or destroy any evidence, which the company's outside counsel confirmed receipt.