It has been less than a week since a mysterious fire destroyed the old Ruby’s Diner building and part of the end of the Seal Beach Pier.
Although much is known about how the fire was fought, investigators from several agencies are continuing to search through debris to pinpoint the fire’s cause and place of origin.
Orange County Fire Capt. Larry Kurtz said that 70 firefighters battled the blaze, including those on eight fire boats and one firefighter in the water with a fire hose.
Luckily for Seal Beach, the biggest fire boat on the scene was No. 20, a brand-new $25.8 million Long Beach Fire boat that was on its first-ever call. Long Beach Fire Department spokesman Brian Fisk said that boat probably made the difference in quickly containing the fire.
“I think the pier was probably saved as a result of that boat,” Fisk said. “The boat is the only one of its kind in the world,” he added.
Kurtz said it may take a while for investigators to get answers. Multiple agencies are involved in the effort, including experts in electrical engineering. Arson has not been ruled out.
On Monday night the Seal Beach City Council officially declared the pier fire a local emergency.
The decision allows City Manager Jill Ingram to hire contractors to clear the remains of two buildings at the end of the pier and repair the pier itself.
Ingram told the council they would be updated on the progress of pier repairs at each City Council meeting until the council rescinds the emergency proclamation.
Community Development Director Jim Basham said staff was pursing an emergency permit with the California Coastal Commission.
Staff is also working with Southern California Edison to remove the transformer at the end of the pier and hiring an environmental consultant for the demolition/repair work.
Orange County Fire Authority representatives said there was no exact time for determining what caused the Friday, May 21, fire that destroyed the former Ruby’s Diner building and a long closed bait shack. The fire was first reported at about 7:30 a.m. It took firefighters about an hour-and-a-half to knock down the fire. One firefighter was injured battling the fire in an environment of zero visibility due to the black smoke rising from the old buildings. He was treated and released from the hospital. Seal Beach Police helped get fire equipment out to the end of the pier.
As has been reported, the water line that supports fire suppression leaked.
Basham confirmed that the city is repairing a leak in the fire suppression line. Speaking off the top of his head, Basham said the line was last repaired maybe six months ago. He pointed out that the water line runs the entire length of the pier.
The Seal Beach Pier is approximately 1,835 feet long. The city website describes it as the second longest pier in the state.
Basham did not expect the leak to effect insurance coverage. He said there is more than one water source for the pier.
In recent months, whenever the council has asked staff for reports on what needs to be done to reopen the end of the pier, Basham has mentioned the need to replace the water line.
Mayor Sandra Massa-Lavitt asked staff to explain the city’s insurance coverage. Ingram said the Joint Powers Insurance Authority has asked city staff not to comment on the insurance coverage until their investigation of the fire is complete. The Insurance Authority is an insurance pool of about 120 California cities that provide insurance to member cities. City Council members praised emergency responders for their co-ordinated efforts against the fire and the pre-planning for an emergency.
