In a dramatic afternoon incident, firefighters were dispatched to the far end of the Oceanside Pier on Thursday to combat a massive blaze. The fire, which started in the building at the end of the pier, once housing the closed Ruby's Restaurant, was reported shortly after 3 p.m.

As smoke billowed into the sky, two fire-fighting boats arrived at the scene, using water cannons to combat the flames. A lone pickup truck, possibly a lifeguard vehicle, was stationed at the foot of the pier, equipped with a long fire hose stretching the length of the pier. Two other vehicles, with activated flashers, were spotted at the far end.

Despite the obscured view due to smoke, the Oceanside Fire Department issued a tweet at 3:14 p.m., urging citizens to stay away from the immediate area. By 4 p.m., a third vessel and a U.S. Coast Guard boat joined the firefighting operation, as smoke continued to engulf the two-story building and spread beneath the pier.

Mayor Esther Sanchez stated in a phone interview at 4:15 p.m. with NBC 7 that the fire teams had decided to prioritize saving the rest of the pier rather than attempting to rescue the restaurant. It became evident that only a few visible flames were remaining amidst the surrounding smoke.

To aid the efforts, a helicopter jointly operated by Cal Fire and the San Diego Sheriff's Department arrived at 4:21 p.m., making a rare water drop on the burning structure. However, as time passed, the roof of a nearby small structure collapsed, and flames could be seen starting to escape the confines of the larger building, causing visible charring.

At approximately 4:35 p.m., the San Diego Fire Rescue's new Triton firefighting vessel arrived on scene, joining the fight against the inferno. The fire, however, continued to resist extinguishing efforts, even as the firefighting chopper made numerous drops to combat the blaze.

It is worth noting that in 1976, a fire broke out in the Pier Fish Market, and in December of the same year, the Pier Cafe was completely destroyed by fire. The current Oceanside Pier, measuring 1,954 feet long, was constructed in 1987, after the previous incarnations were demolished by destructive forces.

Last year, the city of Oceanside invested $5.5 million to upgrade the aging pipes and electrical systems on the pier, highlighting its significance as a historic landmark. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, as officials work to determine the circumstances that led to this devastating incident.

The Oceanside community gathered along the coast to witness the unfortunate event, with some even posing for selfies with the burning structure in the background. While the future of the pier remains uncertain, the courageous efforts of the firefighters continue in their mission to save this iconic landmark.