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ANAHEIM, Calif. () — As evacuations force 50,000 Orange County residents from their homes, some families are stepping up to provide shelter, opening their doors to relatives in need despite crowded conditions.
The evacuations are the result of a chemical tank crisis unfolding at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove. Crews are working to prevent a pressurized tank carrying toxic chemicals from exploding.
READ MORE: Crews investigating if OC chemical tank pressure has been relieved after crack discovered
Firefighters are putting their lives on the line to perform a high-risk operation at a compromised chemical tank in Garden Grove.
One Anaheim TikTok user drew widespread attention on social media after sharing a video showing her living room filled with 20 of her displaced family members.
Yasmin Martinez, who lives with her mother, said their decision to take in family members was immediate. She welcomed our Eyewitness News crew inside her home to show how she and her family are making the best of a difficult situation.
“It’s been fun. A lot of playing and running around, sometimes there’s moments of stress, but other than that, it hasn’t been bad,” Martinez said.
The group has tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, gathering for large backyard cookouts, playing games and spending quality time together in very cramped quarters.
For those staying there, the support has been critical.
“I’m very thankful that they opened the doors. With me and my kids, because I’m the one who has the kids, and that they’re patient and willing to help out, knowing they’re little. I’m very thankful they opened their doors,” said Tyara Penuelas of Stanton.
Martinez said welcoming relatives during the emergency was never in question, even as their home quickly filled beyond its usual capacity.
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