Authorities in California say a crack has appeared in a damaged tank holding 26,000 liters of methyl methacrylate, a flammable chemical used in aerospace plastics. The development may be relieving pressure and reducing the risk of a catastrophic explosion.
About 40,000 residents remain under evacuation orders in Garden Grove, Orange County, roughly five miles from Disneyland. The leak was first reported Thursday at the GKN Aerospace facility.
Orange County Fire Chief TJ McGovern said firefighters spotted the crack Saturday night. He called it a positive step, though experts are still analyzing the data. There is no word yet on what caused the leak.
Crews have been spraying water to cool the tank. Containment barriers are being placed to prevent spills from reaching storm drains and river channels leading to the ocean.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. Evacuees have not been allowed to return home. Disneyland remains open. GKN Aerospace said it is working with experts and apologized for the disruption.