OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) — A fire erupted on the historic Oceanside Pier on Thursday afternoon, prompting a response from multiple agencies and an order for the public to steer clear of the area.
Firefighters responded to the pier at around 3 p.m. The Oceanside Fire Department said in a press release the fire started for unknown reasons in a vacant building at the end of the pier that used to be a Ruby's Diner.
Someone with Brine Box, a seafood kiosk at the end of Oceanside Pier next to the building on fire, told ABC 10News that all of its employees were safe and unaffected by the fire.
While most of the flames were extinguished overnight, firefighters remained at the pier to put out hotspots early Friday morning.
In a Friday morning update, City of Oceanside officials said the fire was contained to the far west end of the pier, with firefighters "removing some planks across the Pier for fire access, and to protect the rest of the Pier."
Officials went on to say, "As a precaution, the beach and the Strand areas around the Pier are closed until further notice. The public is urged to maintain a safe distance. Programming at the Junior Seau Beach Recreation Center is cancelled today."
The City of Oceanside's emergency alert system sent a notification to ABC 10News via email. The alert stated there was police and fire activity around the pier.
The alert also said to stay away from Pacific and The Strand, between Seagaze and Surfrider, as first responders work to extinguish the fire.
Some businesses in front of the pier closed for the day due to the fire. Wheel Fun Rentals, located at 300 The Strand N, said it is bringing in bikes and shutting down the shop. Mariposa Ice Cream Oceanside, another shop under the pier on the Strand, is also closing its store.
