Historic Oceanside Pier Engulfed in Flames, Firefighters Battle Inferno

Firefighters rushed to the far end of the iconic Oceanside Pier on Thursday afternoon to combat a massive inferno that engulfed the historic structure.

The blaze was reported around 3 p.m., triggering a swift response from emergency personnel.

A thick plume of smoke quickly obscured the sky, as two fire-fighting boats and a lifeguard vehicle with a long hose arrived at the scene.

The building at the end of the pier, formerly the location of Ruby’s Diner, which had been closed for three years, was fiercely ablaze amidst the smoke.

As SkyRanger 7 soared overhead, the entire length of the structure was shrouded in blowing smoke.

Mayor Esther Sanchez confirmed that fire teams opted for a defense tactic to protect the pier rather than save the burning structure.

An unprecedented water drop was made on the fire by a helicopter jointly operated by Cal Fire and the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

Multiple agencies including San Diego Fire Rescue’s Triton vessel and ground crews from various fire departments, such as Carlsbad and Camp Pendleton, joined the firefighting efforts.

The Famous High Pie at the Top Gun House and other establishments near the pier were closed due to the onshore winds carrying smoke and ash.

Oceanside fire chief David Parsons stated that while the main body of the fire had been largely contained, efforts continued to control the remaining flames on the deck.

Despite warnings to stay away, crowds gathered along the coast to witness the firefighting operation unfold.

An SDG&E firefighting aircraft made significant water drops on the pier fire as charred fragments began washing ashore.

By evening, the situation seemed to be under control with diminished smoke and crews remaining vigilant to prevent reignition.

Investigations into the cause of the fire were ongoing, with the city expressing plans to rebuild the structure.