Oceanside city officials and dignitaries thanked firefighters and others Wednesday, June 26, who worked to save the community’s pier from a fire in late April.
The luncheon, held at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater, was held to honor city and regional firefighters and agencies in addition to Manson Construction and SDG&E, all of which fought the fire on April 25 and saved 93% percent of the structure, according to the city.
The fire, which started in a closed restaurant area at the end of the pier, destroyed the vacant Ruby’s Diner building and The Brine Box snack shack. There were no injuries. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
“We are forever indebted to the courageous people who helped save our iconic Pier,” Mayor Esther Sanchez said in a news release. “Their service and regional cooperation in our time of need preserved this community treasure for generations to come.”
Special recognition was given to Manson Construction, which was working on nearby sand replenishment and Oceanside Harbor dredging projects at the time of the fire. Its crew deployed a powerful water pump to help battle the blaze.
SDG&E was recognized for its air helitanker support, in addition to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s ASTREA helicopter unit; fire departments from Carlsbad, Vista and San Marcos; Calfire; the California Office of Emergency Services; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton; the county’s Hazardous Materials Division; the U.S. Coast Guard Sea Otter Cutter; and San Diego Harbor Police and lifeguard boats.
Oceanside Fire Chief David Parsons noted the use of the North County Dispatch Joint Powers Authority, which helped facilitate mutual aid in fighting the fire.
“Mutual aid agreements allow us to share resources and personnel, ultimately protecting our neighboring communities during major incidents,” Parsons said in the city’s news release. “We give our sincerest thanks to every agency that answered the call.”
The city reopened the undamaged portion of the pier on May 10 and is currently working to obtain permits for demolition and debris removal from the restaurant portion, according to a city update. That work is expected to get underway in August.