By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–A massive fire erupted Thursday afternoon at a vacant restaurant at the end of the iconic Oceanside Pier, the Oceanside Fire Department said.
Oceanside Lifeguards noticed smoke billowing from the former Ruby’s Diner around 3 p.m. The immediate response led to the evacuation of the pier, ensuring the safety of personnel from The Brine Box and the Bait Shop.
Over 100 first responders from various agencies, including the Oceanside Fire and Police Departments, Vista and Carlsbad Fire, Camp Pendleton, the U.S. Coast Guard, CalFire, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and SDG&E, united to combat the blaze both from the water and the air.
Helicopters from CalFire and SDGE executed water drops at the scene, while firefighters worked tirelessly to lay down lines along the pier to douse the flames. The Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in San Diego, joined the firefighting efforts using pumps and hoses.
At a news conference, Oceanside Fire Chief David Parsons confirmed the fire’s “stop forward progress” on the 100-year-old pier.
“The vast majority of the pier itself is in good, undamaged condition,” Parsons said. “The negative is that we do have debris and things are dropping where the fire was into the ocean below.”
Ruby’s Diner and The Brine Box sustained severe damage, along with a portion of the pier structure. The fire was contained to the west end of the pier, and although most resources have been withdrawn, operations to fully extinguish the fire are ongoing, with crews expected to work through the night to prevent any further spread.
Mayor Esther Sanchez expressed plans to rebuild the historic pier, emphasizing its significance to the community. She announced support from Congressman Mike Levin and State Senator Catherine Blakespear, who have pledged funds to aid the restoration efforts.
“This pier is so very, very important to the citizens of Oceanside. It is iconic. It is Oceanside,” Mayor Sanchez said.
The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality has issued a water contact closure for the Oceanside Pier area, extending from the beachline north of the pier to Surfrider Way and south to Tyson Street, due to potential contamination from the fire. The public is advised to avoid water contact until further notice.
While no injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
