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The storage building and restrooms near the base of the San Clemente Pier burned Monday afternoon. Photo: Lindsey Fulgham/Lindsey Fulgham Photography
By Andrea Swayne
Firefighters responded to reports of a fire Monday afternoon at the newly-built storage and restroom building near the base of the San Clemente Pier on Avenida Victoria, authorities said.
The initial call was received at 3:23 p.m. and with 30 firefighters on scene the blaze was under control by 4 p.m., according to Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire Tuesday at the storage/restroom building near the base of the pier on Monday in San Clemente. Photo: Amarah Hernandez
“For the safety of firefighters, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies and the public, the train tracks were shut down while fighting the fire,” Concialdi said. “As of 4 p.m. train service resumed.”
The fire is estimated to have caused $55,000 in damages–$5,000 to the contents of the storage area and $50,000 to the building. The side of the building the restrooms are located in was relatively unharmed, Concialdi said.
No injuries were reported and the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Click here to see video of the fire submitted by Lindsey Fulgham Photography.
Smoke rises from the storage area and restrooms near the base of the San Clemente Pier Monday after the structure was destroyed by fire. Photo: Eric HeinzPhoto: Eric Heinz
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Can we not have one thing nice? Why is it that the simplest of things…a restroom for all to use…cannot be subjected to some kind of vandalism or destruction? People. Please. The City is doing their best to make our public places good for everyone. Would you please consider putting your destructive nature into something constructive? The harm you have caused costs us all…and that is a shame.
Why weren’t fire sprinklers required 24/7 in this highly trafficked tourist area, even while under construction? So, the question becomes: were the fire sprinklers broken, or did our city permit this dangerous situation to occur with no requirement for basic fire safety? Maybe it’s time to inquire if fire sprinklers have been installed at Fisherman’s, the new snack shack at the end of the Pier, etc. If not, why not?
Can we not have one thing nice? Why is it that the simplest of things…a restroom for all to use…cannot be subjected to some kind of vandalism or destruction? People. Please. The City is doing their best to make our public places good for everyone. Would you please consider putting your destructive nature into something constructive? The harm you have caused costs us all…and that is a shame.
Denise,
Do you know how the fire started? You seem to be saying it was arson. Was a report released connecting it to arson? Just curious.
Nothing in the article says it was intentional.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
I’d bet it was a cigarette butt carelessly tossed
Why weren’t fire sprinklers required 24/7 in this highly trafficked tourist area, even while under construction? So, the question becomes: were the fire sprinklers broken, or did our city permit this dangerous situation to occur with no requirement for basic fire safety? Maybe it’s time to inquire if fire sprinklers have been installed at Fisherman’s, the new snack shack at the end of the Pier, etc. If not, why not?