Oceanside Pier in San Diego is consumed by huge fire, forcing visitors to evacuate 1954

Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze that broke out on the historic Oceanside Pier in San Diego.

The fire was reported around 3 p.m. PT inside the vacant building that previously housed Ruby's Diner on the pier.

 

Local fire crews were joined by Cal Fire and the San Diego Sheriff's Department to make a water drop on the structure fire, reported NBC San Diego.

Two fire-fighting vessels are working to battle the blaze that has charred the building and caused the roof to collapse.

'What we know is that the fire teams decided to do a defense tactic and not try to save the restaurant but save the rest of the pier.' Oceanside mayor Esther Sanchez told the local news station.

A fire on the Oceanside Pier in San Diego was reported around 3 p.m. PT

Plume of smokes rising from the wooden structure as crews work to put on the flames

The City of Oceanside said no injuries have been reported and personnel from the nearby shops have been accounted for

At least three fire department vessels are working to battle the blaze

'The Oceanside Fire Department is currently engaged in fighting a fire on the Oceanside Pier. We are asking all citizens to please stay away from the immediate area,' the fire department said.

Photos and video show plume of smokes rising from the wooden structure as crews work to put on the flames.

'Restaurants at the end of the Pier are damaged, as is the end of the Pier structure,' the City of Oceanside said.

'No injuries have been reported. Personnel from The Brine Shop and the Bair Shop are all accounted for.'

Jessica Waite, the co-owner of the Brine Box the local news station that the business was open at the time the fire started.

'Chef Rachel saw smoke coming up from underneath the pier, behind the old Ruby's building,' Waite said. 

Vacant chair were seen abandoned on the beach as thick black smoke rose from the pier 

People watch a helicopter drop water as fire crews fight the burning fire 

Onlookers gathered on the beach as the efforts to contain the blaze went on 

Later in the evening, the smoke appeared to have calmed 

'Thankfully, everyone was evacuated safely. We are so sad to see this happening.'

Businesses nearby closed due to on-shore winds carrying smoke and ash.

Oceanside fire chief David Parsons said the main body of the fire has been knocked down and crews are working to keep it under control.

The City of Oceanside spent $5.5 million in 2023 to upgrade pipes and electrical systems on the pier.

Originally built in 1888, the pier has been destroyed twice in its lifetime, once in 1890 by rough seas and again in 1902. 

The current pier, which is 1,945 feet long and the longest on the West Coast, was built in 1987. 

Read more:

• Fire erupts on Oceanside Pier | cbs8.com
• Fire on Oceanside Pier creates massive smoke plume – NBC 7 San Diego