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Gavin Newsom has pleaded with Donald Trump for help in containing the Orange County chemical plant as officials warned there was still a risk of catastrophe.

The California governor asked the president to issue a federal emergency declaration to bring in more support as the Garden Grove disaster continued into a fifth day.

It comes as officials on Sunday revealed they had found a crack in the container that could be easing pressure in what they described as a “critically positive” moment.

Meanwhile around 50,000 people have had their lives upended amid a mandatory evacuation zone in the immediate area, forcing them into hotels, cramped shelters or to stay with friends and family.


  A pressurized tank filled with methyl methacrylate is sprayed with water at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove,. MediaNews Group via Getty Images A pressurized tank filled with methyl methacrylate is sprayed with water at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove,. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

  Aerial and ground images capture the scene around the Garden Grove chemical plant accident. Obtained by the CA Post Aerial and ground images capture the scene around the Garden Grove chemical plant accident. Obtained by the CA Post

Since Friday, the Golden State has been in crisis mode amid fears the tank, which contains methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical used in plastics and manufacturing, could rupture.

Experts warned it could send up to 7,000 gallons of toxic ​material into the surrounding area or explode and endanger other parts of the GKN Aerospace site and destroy homes and businesses.

Newsom’s press office said Sunday: “Gavin Newsom submitted an Emergency Declaration request to President Trump to support ongoing response operations in Garden Grove, where state and local officials are actively managing an ongoing chemical incident.”


  A malfunctioning tank at an aerospace plant has the potential of a chemical leak or explosion. Getty Images A malfunctioning tank at an aerospace plant has the potential of a chemical leak or explosion. Getty Images

  Despite the improvement, evacuation orders have not been lifted and no changes have been made to the affected zones. REUTERS Despite the improvement, evacuation orders have not been lifted and no changes have been made to the affected zones. REUTERS

In a video message earlier in the day, interim fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority TJ McGovern said the newly found crack could significantly reduced the immediate risk of an explosion.

He revealed fire crews had entered the site late on Saturday to conduct a close visual inspection of the tank, saying: “We developed a plan to go do an operation last night, late night to go get eyes and do a reconnaissance on the tank.

“During that operation, our firefighters went in and they were able to visualize the tank. What they found was a potential crack in the tank, which could potentially be relieving some of the pressure in there.

“With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event. Last night was a successful operation for this emerging incidence in this ongoing incident.”

He said the crack is now being carefully verified as engineers and hazardous materials specialists reassess the stability of the tank and what it could mean for overall risk.

McGovern added: “I know this is a disruption. Your protection, your life safety is our paramount responsibility right now.

“We know you’re out of your homes. We want to get you back, but we cannot do that until it’s deemed safe.”

On Saturday the tank’s internal temperature reached 90F but experts are working around the clock to try to keep it stabilized at under 85F.

Air quality sensors placed around the site have not detected any toxic releases, despite the structural change in the tank.


  OCFA Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern issues an update regarding the chemical tank threat. OC Fire Authority OCFA Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern issues an update regarding the chemical tank threat. OC Fire Authority

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Crews were preparing for a possible spill by looking for ways to dike, dam and divert the liquid into a holding area at the site, rather than allow ​it to reach storm drains, river channels or the ocean.

Health officials ​said they ⁠were concerned prolonged exposure to vapor from the chemical could cause severe respiratory problems.

Despite the positive update, tens of thousands were still displaced Sunday night following the threat to their homes.

Garden Grove mom-of-two Jessica Gonzalez, 35, lives just three blocks from the site and was transported by authorities to the John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma on Thursday afternoon along with her son Jerry, 12, and five-year-old daughter, Jaylyn.

The family spent Friday and Saturday evening sleeping on cots in the school’s gym along with other evacuees.

She described the experience, including leaving home with just a few possessions, as “frustrating” and “overwhelming.”

Commenting on her fears of an explosion, she said: “Imagine all those chemicals we’d be inhaling. We’re here but we still don’t know what’s going on.”

Gonzalez said plant bosses should have done more to ensure the endangered facility was safe. “They should have it taken care of,” she said. “They should have kept an eye on it.”

At one of the shelters located at Freedom Hall at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley, Trina Nguyen, 26, who lives two blocks from the chemical plant, told the Post she had been desperately searching for a hotel room but there was limited room due to huge demand caused by the emergency.

“The evacuation has been absolutely terrible because when trying to get a hotel it’s extremely hard,” said the sales and marketing manager.

“Half the time, none of the hotels will pick up the phone or will leave you on hold for hours on end. A lot of hotels aren’t in the area and so aren’t aware of the situation.”

After scores of phone calls, she managed to locate an available room a distant Motel 6.

The sudden emergency, she added, had alerted her to the real dangers of chemical plants situated in residential areas.

City and police officials said in a joint statement Sunday: “OCFA has reported the tank has cracked and released some pressure, taking away the potential of a catastrophic explosion.

“There is no leak of chemical substance. This is a new positive development and the science experts are still evaluating this.

“We do not know when the community will be returned to normal or when evacuations will be lifted, but we will report an update as soon as it is available.

“Safety is the number one priority for all of us. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

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