SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The U.S. Coast Guard, typically tasked with maritime security, found themselves on the frontlines of a different battle Thursday, as they scrambled to contain a raging fire engulfing the iconic Oceanside Pier in San Diego County.
“I was actually personally coming off from watch, and as I was heading down here, I saw from the deck what seemed like billowing flames," said Antonio Vallabriga, a fireman from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter (USCGC). "We were able to see that it was on land. You could see it billowing, and we were at least five miles out."
That’s when training exercises became a reality for the crew who don't usually fight fires.
Flames engulfed the pier's end where Ruby’s Diner used to be. It caused a plume of smoke to cover the Oceanside coastline.
Locals were on the edge of their seats, hoping the beloved pier wouldn’t become a distant memory.
All eyes were on the sea otter crew standing within 10 feet of the fire at times.
“As soon as we got into our mission, it was night and day. It was exhilarating once we were all in step and in line with each other, and I’m a little sore now,” said seaman Tanner Trew, USCGC Sea Otter.
Their Master Chief Jay Galazin credits his crew’s ability to be flexible with the heroic actions.
He was driving the ship while his Coast Guard members were operating the hose.
His challenge was navigating against the wind.
“There was a lot of wind that day. The difference between firefighting on land [is that] everything is nice and stable, but firefighting from the water. You have waves, winds, all these types of things, and all the different types of bats operating around each other," he said.
Although adrenaline took the lead for the Sea Otter crew, they knew the importance of preserving the Oceanside gem.
“Learning about the historical significance of the Oceanside Pier and seeing it being ruined as we were fishing inspired us to make sure we could try to save as much as possible," said Vallabriga.
The Oceanside Fire Department applauds the help from agencies like the Coast Guard, who helped them contain the fire.
Firefighters are still working to extinguish the fire fully, but say 90 percent of the pier was saved.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Early Saturday morning, authorities were out testing the water quality, but warned people to stay out of the ocean because debris could wash up.
