Devastating news out of Southern California where a massive blaze engulfed the iconic Oceanside Pier. Adjacent to a popular surf spot, the 1,950-foot wooden sea is billed as the longest on the West Coast.
The fire was first reported on Thursday around 3:00 p.m. inside the vacant restaurant formerly known as Ruby’s Diner. The U.S. Coast Guard, CalFire, SDG&E and San Diego County all responded to the scene and fought the fire from the water and air. It was contained to the end of the pier by 9:30 p.m.
The environmental fallout from the blaze is yet to be determined but San Diego County officials have issued a water contact closure due to contamination from the fire spanning from the beach line north of the pier to Surfrider Way and south of the pier to Tyson Street.Â
Investigators are working to determine what started the fire. There were no reports of injuries.
Oceanside Fire Department: Crews worked through the night and will continue to work today. The unstable restaurant structure means crews can’t attack the fire from inside, so the fight will continue from the exterior.
images from Oceanside Fire Department