Crews found a possible crack in a chemical tank that could alleviate GKN’s problem

Chemical emergency responders at an air base in Southern California discovered what officials described as a possible rupture in an unstable tank that may have relieved pressure inside the vessel.

In a video posted on social media Sunday, Orange County Fire Authority interim chief TJ McGovern said special teams entered the danger zone Saturday night to investigate and identify what appeared to be a crack in the tank at the center of the disaster.

“What they found was a crack in the tank, which may have relieved the pressure,” McGovern said.

Officials are currently working to confirm the discovery of this incident, which McGovern said could change the strategy to control this incident.

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“With this new information, it may change our direction and our strategies in this event,” he said.

The overnight operation marked the first successful test of the tank since the emergency flared Thursday night at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, where workers were racing to prevent a catastrophic failure involving methyl methacrylate, or MMA – a volatile and flammable plastic chemical.

The leak was found at an aerospace manufacturing facility, which produces engine structures and parts for commercial and military aircraft.

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Authorities have previously warned that a collapsing tank could rupture and spill thousands of liters of hazardous chemicals or explode during a “hot temperature” event, potentially affecting neighboring tanks and causing a major disaster.

The discovery now presents what officials have suggested could be a more favorable situation than initially feared, although workers have warned that the threat has not passed.

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

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Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Orange County as California continues to respond to the deadly chemical incident in Garden Grove. (Ethan Swope/AP)

More than 40,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as officials continue to monitor temperatures, air quality and building conditions across the region.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday as crews moved from defensive operations to more dangerous operations aimed at preventing an explosion.

McGovern praised the firefighters and hazardous materials experts who took part in the night operation, calling the operation a success and stressing that public safety remains a priority before residents return to their homes.

“We want to bring it back, but we won’t do that until it seems safe,” he said.

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Officials said more updates are expected later Sunday as engineers and hazardous materials experts analyze the new findings.

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.