How a British-owned plant became the centre of California’s toxic leak danger

An American offshoot of a British company is responsible for the tank holding a highly toxic and flammable chemical, which is in danger of exploding in California.

The tank is on the site of GKN Aerospace, a division of British supplier Melrose Industries. GKN makes aircraft windscreens and aerospace plastics, among other things.

In a statement on its website on Sunday, Melrose said it is working closely with authorities at the site of the leak, in Garden Grove, a suburb roughly 30 miles south of Los Angeles.

Fire trucks parked during a chemical incident involving a leaking tank of methyl methacrylate. (Picture: David Swanson/Reuters)

“We are acutely aware of the uncertainty this incident is causing and sincerely apologise for the ongoing disruption to the local community,” Melrose said.