The Oceanside Pier Is Literally On Fire

California is known for wildfires, but pier fires are a rare occurrence. On Thursday afternoon, a fire erupted on the Oceanside Pier, the longest wooden pier on the western United States coastline (1,954 feet). 

Firefighters were called to deal with a blaze at the far end of the structure after it was first reported at 3 p.m., according to NBC San Diego. The outlet said for a time just one boat was trying to put out the fire, and it appeared the flames may be in the building at the end of the pier, which was once the site of the Ruby’s Restaurant. Last year, the city of Oceanside spent $5.5 million on upgrades to pipes and electrical systems

Stab’s own Premium Coordinator Christian Bowcutt, presumably slacking from his duties, ducked out of Stab’s Oceanside office for a quick surf near the pier. He could “smell something weird” and assumed wildfire (a true Californian). By the time he was changing in the lot, smoke and flames were billowing from the pier.

“There were tonsss of firetrucks and cops and people running down,” Christian said. “It turned into a watch party on the boardwalk. People posted up taking photos, drinking beers, smoking joints and clapping at the fire boat.”

NBC San Diego reported that by 4 p.m. there were “two fire-fighting boats on scene shooting water cannons at the structure at the end of the pier. A lone pickup truck, possibly a lifeguard vehicle, sits at the foot of pier, with a long fire hose, possibly two, running the length of the pier. It appears that a pair of other vehicles are at the far end, flashers lit up.”

A sad scene for Caity Simmers’ home break. See below for a much better day in O-side.

As of the time of writing, firefighters are still on the scene and the cause of the fire is still unknown.