A blaze erupted on the far west end of the Oceanside Pier on Thursday, April 25, 2024. A collaborative effort by Oceanside first responders and regional partners ensured there were no injuries, and 93 percent of the beloved Pier was successfully saved.  Sadly, two structures, a vacant restaurant, and a small to-go food shop, The Brine Box, were lost in the fire.  

Fire Investigation

Federal investigators are working in tandem with Oceanside Fire Department investigators, as well as insurance investigators. The fire's area of origin was found to be in the northwest area of the Pier.  There is no evidence of an intentional or incendiary act.  A comprehensive report detailing the investigation's findings is anticipated soon.

The Oceanside Pier is Open

The City reopened  roughly 80 percent of the Pier on Friday, May 10, 2024. The Pier is open from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day.  Come out and take a stroll!  The opening extends to beyond the Bait Shop, the restrooms, and the fish-cleaning station at the last "offset."  The damaged far west end of the Oceanside Pier will remain closed until reconstruction is complete.

Fire Debris Removal

The chore of removing the burned area of the Pier has begun. The City contracted with Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc. to remove the destroyed restaurant structures and deck planking at the far west end. The crews are using a crane and trucks to complete the job.

On October 7, 2024, crews began to set up scaffolding and catwalks to build an extensive sub-floor under the fire damaged area to catch debris that could fall during the work.  The parking lot adjacent to the base of the Pier is fenced off for equipment use.

On October 23, 2024, the team began to demolish the damaged restaurant, smaller kiosk, and deck planking. Then, the task will be to remove the utilities, sewer lift station, and grease trap below the decking.

During the debris removal work, it's expected that the Pier will remain open for the majority of the time.  Please use caution on and around the Pier during this work.

It's anticipated that the crew will begin demobilizing in December, removing all materials and equipment, and reopening the parking lot by late December 2024. 

Next Steps: Pier Pilings Analysis

Once much of the debris is removed, engineers will be able to get a better look at the pilings below to test and analyze their condition. From there, a determination on exactly what needs to be done to rebuild the damaged portion will be made.

The restaurant lease holder will be rebuilding the restaurant structures using generally the same footprint as the former Ruby's Restaurant and Brine Box.  Both the Pier and the restaurant were insured.

The City's Engineering Division is applying for permits from various regulatory agencies to perform the repairs, which are expected to take some time to obtain.

Pier Fire Recovery has Governor's Support

On November 1, 2024, Governor Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in response to the City's request to the Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). This emergency proclamation enables the City of Oceanside to seek resources under the California Disaster Assistance Act, among other provisions, and may allow the City to recoup response and damage costs. 

Pier Railing Engraved Names

In 1988, the engravings were done as a fundraiser for the City's centennial celebration. About 93 percent of the names along the Pier railings were saved.  While our focus now is restoring the Pier for public use, the destroyed boards with engraved names will be replaced. Thankfully, the  archived records of all the engraved names and their locations were located by the City Clerk's Office.

Stay Informed

Regular updates and progress reports will keep residents informed along the way. For direct information and updates, please sign up for the monthly City newsletter, The Oceanside Tide.

A Community ‘Thank You’

The City of Oceanside extends gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations whose support proved instrumental in mitigating the fire's impact. The City held a special recognition luncheon to thank our partners on June 26, 2024, at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater.