Crews addressing a chemical emergency at an aerospace facility in Southern California have identified a potential crack in an unstable tank. This crack might be relieving pressure inside the vessel, as reported by officials.

In a video update shared on social media, Orange County Fire Authority Interim Chief T.J. McGovern noted that specialized teams conducted a reconnaissance mission late Saturday night. During this mission, they visually detected what they believed to be a crack in the critical tank.

“What they found was a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially be relieving some of the pressure in there,” McGovern stated.

Officials are now verifying the discovery, which McGovern indicated might influence their strategy in managing this incident.

The overnight operation marked the first successful close-range inspection of the tank after the emergency intensified on Thursday night at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove. The teams have been working to avert a catastrophic failure involving methyl methacrylate (MMA), a volatile and flammable chemical used in plastic epoxy.

The leak was identified at the aerospace facility, where engine structures and components for commercial and military aircraft are manufactured.

Authorities have previously warned that the deteriorating tank might rupture, spilling thousands of gallons of hazardous chemicals, or explode in a “thermal runaway” event. This could trigger neighboring tanks and result in a larger disaster.

The current finding offers a potentially more favorable scenario than initially feared, though the threat still exists.

“We’re not there yet, but this was a step in the right direction,” McGovern stated.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County as the state continues to manage the hazardous chemical incident in Garden Grove.

Over 40,000 residents remain under evacuation orders. Authorities continue monitoring temperatures, air quality, and structural conditions around the facility.

On Saturday, crews shifted from defensive containment strategies to high-risk offensive actions to prevent an explosion.

McGovern commended the efforts of firefighters and hazardous materials specialists involved in the overnight operation, calling it a success.

“We want to get you back, but we cannot do that until it’s deemed safe,” he emphasized, prioritizing public safety before residents can return home.

Further updates are expected as engineers and hazardous materials experts evaluate the new findings.