Families chased from their homes by the threat of a toxic-chemical-filled tank exploding in Garden Grove are now suing.
The Seal Beach law firm Steele & Eisner is representing 30 people who are suing GKN Aerospace for negligence, disrupting their lives, and instilling fear after a pressurized tank filled with a toxic chemical started to heat up and threatened to blow.
Attorney Shawn Steele says the company had nine violations over the years for safety.
“So it's not a surprise that something went wrong in the safety officer and the safety protocols that allowed the refrigeration system that kept the chemical stable suddenly collapsed,” he said.
He said that while the company apologized, it was negligent.
“There are three backup systems, according to the Orange County Fire Authority, that did not come into play, and suddenly they had an uncontrolled potential chemical explosion,” he said. “I call it a potential Chernobyl. It would have been permanent lasting damage plus countless, countless lives.”
Shadi Debabneh, one of the plaintiffs, told KNX News’ Karen Adams that the fear of the pressurized tank exploding had his family in a near panic, especially his father, who could not evacuate for health reasons.
“He had to duct tape his bedroom shut,” he said. “He was scared of the gas coming in.”
He said he wants to see changes made.
“I want to see that they're going to take steps forward to make sure that this never happens again,” he said.
The toxic spill prompted the evacuations of 50,000 people.
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