A large fire broke out Thursday afternoon at a vacant restaurant at the end of the Oceanside Pier in San Diego North County, the Oceanside Fire Department confirmed.
The nearly 600-foot-long wooden pier was built in 1888 and is the focal point of the Southern California seaside city not far from Camp Pendleton.
“The Oceanside Fire Department is currently working to extinguish the fire at the Oceanside Pier,” the department posted on social media Thursday.
“We ask all citizens to stay away from nearby areas.”
Video of the fire showed smoke billowing over the pier, and the news agency said it could be seen from Vista, 16 miles east, and Delmar, 32 miles south. FOX 5 San Diego.
The fire appears to have spread to the brine box, a fish house at the end of the pier.
The restaurant posted an update on social media saying, “What is happening on the pier is sad and scary. We want you to know that our team is safe.”
“From what we hear, the fire broke out under the pier, but everyone escaped safely. We will continue to update you with more details. Thank you for your kind words of support. I’m really grateful to you all.”
The U.S. Coast Guard fought the fire from the water, while the Diego County Sheriff’s Department and San Diego Gas & Electric brought helicopters down, the department said.
There has been no official word on possible injuries or what may have caused the fire.
No injuries were reported.
“Our crews are making good progress and the fire is well contained to the edge of the pier,” Oceanside fire officials said Thursday night.
