Orange County authorities say the threat of a toxic chemical explosion at a GKN Aerospace site in Garden Grove has vanished. A cracked tank has released pressure, dropping temperatures from 100 to 93 degrees. The interim fire chief marked the crisis as “off the table” for the area today again.

Evacuation orders still cover more than 40,000 residents around the plant as officials assess safety for return. Senator Thomas J. Umberg urged patience, noting that while the greatest danger may have been removed, residents cannot yet be told it is safe to come home in this region today for all.

The tank held roughly 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a volatile substance that can irritate eyes, skin and lungs and cause birth defects in exposed animals. EPA data warned of respiratory distress and other symptoms, prompting the swift evacuation and heightened scrutiny of the British manufacturer in this situation today.

GKN Aerospace faces investigation by the Orange County District Attorney over the incident, amid concerns that the company’s handling of hazardous materials could spark regulatory penalties and cost investors billions in cleanup and liability. The event underscores the risk that industrial chemical storage poses to suburban communities in California today.