Federal search warrant being served at California aerospace facility after chemical tank crisis

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- A federal search warrant was served Wednesday morning at the Garden Grove, California aerospace facility where a compromised tank carrying a toxic chemical forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, ABC Los Angeles affiliate KABC has learned.

It's part of an investigation looking into possible violations at the plant that could have played a role in the incident at the GKN Aerospace facility last month.

A tank carrying 6,500 gallons of the highly toxic chemical methyl methacrylate (MMA) became unstable, causing the tank to heat up uncontrollably. For a few days, officials said the tank would either explode or spill out, and either outcome was inevitable.

Eventually, the tank cracked, allowing the pressure to release and eliminating the threat of a BLEVE, which stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.

The investigation into what caused the material in the tank to overheat is ongoing. Residents have already filed a class action lawsuit against GKN Aerospace.