WSJ: "Melrose Industries Says GKN Aerospace Reaches $125 Million Settlement in Chemicals Case"

Via the Wall Street Journal, this news (from October 13): 

Melrose Industries said its GKN Aerospace unit reached a $125 million settlement with authorities in California relating to a chemicals case, and that it expects to restart operations at the site this quarter.

The case relates to an incident in May that forced the evacuation of parts of areas surrounding the facility in Garden Grove, California, operated by GKN, as emergency services sought to avoid a chemical leak and vapor explosion. The plant makes equipment for the aviation industry.

The Orange County district attorney’s office this week filed the documentation to start the process of resolving the civil investigation, Melrose said Tuesday. The documentation includes a settlement, an operational safety plan, and details of a plan—set out in August—for a claims program of up to $100 million for eligible businesses and residents, Melrose said. Melrose will pay a further $25 million in penalties and claims.

The settlement is contingent upon court approval, after which claims are expected to open within days, Melrose said.

The attorney’s office isn’t planning to file criminal charges against the company, Melrose said previously.

“Separately, we are engaged in ongoing mediation discussions regarding the various pending civil class action lawsuits,” Melrose said.

The company said it expects a phased return to full operations at the GKN site during this quarter.

Seems to me this was an obvious resolution, but I feel we still don't really know what happened to cause this incident. I suppose that we'll have to learn that from the eventual (I hope?) CSB report.