Firefighters were battling a major blaze at a vacant restaurant at the end of the Oceanside Pier Thursday afternoon.
The fire was reported shortly after 3 p.m. in the building that formerly housed a Ruby’s Diner.
Images shared on social media showed a large plume of black smoke rising above the end of the pier.
Fire officials said in a statement that the cause of the fire “has not been confirmed at this time” and that the fire was not under control.
“We ask everyone to stay away from the area,” the ministry said.
Jessica Waite is the operator of the Brine Box, a fresh fish shack located near the end of the pier, next to the old Ruby’s site.
“We don’t know where the fire started,” Waite said. “What I heard was that it was under the pier.
She said the two or three Brine Box employees who were working at the time were able to escape safely when the fire broke out.
“It was really scary for our team and for our leader,” she said. “I know everyone is safe.”
California Daily Newspapers
