Massive Fire Erupts at Oceanside Pier, Southern California

A massive fire broke out on the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, California on April 25, 2024, destroying a vacant Ruby's Diner restaurant and damaging the nearby Brine Box eatery. The blaze was reported around 3:00 p.m., and firefighters from multiple agencies, including the Oceanside Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Cal Fire, SDG&E, and San Diego County Sheriff's Department, responded to battle the fire.

Aerial footage captured the moments when the pier was engulfed in flames with firefighters working to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters attacked the blaze from the pier, boats, and helicopters, working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further along the wooden structure. The fire primarily burned underneath the pier deck.

Despite the intensity of the fire, no injuries were reported. Employees from The Brine Box and nearby bait shop were safely evacuated.

Firefighters employed defensive tactics to save the rest of the historic pier, which spans 1,954 feet and is the longest wooden pier on the West Coast. By around 6:00 p.m., crews had stopped the forward progress of the fire at approximately 15 feet past the "hammerhead" shape at the end of the pier. The vast majority of the pier remained undamaged.

Why this matters: The Oceanside Pier is an iconic landmark and popular tourist attraction in Southern California. The fire's destruction of the vacant restaurant and damage to the pier's structure raises concerns about the future of this historic site and its economic impact on the local community.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Oceanside Pier has a history of being rebuilt multiple times due to damage from previous fires and storms, with the most recent version opening to the public in 1987. City officials expressed their commitment to rebuilding the damaged sections of the pier.

Key Takeaways

• Massive fire broke out at Oceanside Pier in California, destroying a vacant restaurant.
• Firefighters from multiple agencies battled the blaze, preventing further damage to the pier.
• No injuries were reported, and employees were safely evacuated from nearby businesses.
• The historic pier, the longest wooden pier on the West Coast, remains largely undamaged.
• City officials committed to rebuilding the damaged sections, as the pier is an iconic landmark.