Fire-Damaged Seal Beach Pier Under Repair

While curious beach-goers watched from behind a fence that closed off two-thirds of the structure, engineers made light repairs to the fire-damaged municipal pier Monday.

City officials have not yet determined how long the pier will remain closed following Friday’s fire.

However, officials are considering making temporary repairs in order to reopen the pier in time for a scheduled women’s volleyball tournament.

City Manager Jerry L. Bankston said city officials are planning to meet with utility representatives to determine whether electric and gas lines can be installed. Friday’s fire destroyed utility lines that travel below the pier and about 75 feet of planking and support beams surrounding the lifeguard tower.

Repairing the electric lines would enable businesses at the end of the pier, such as Ruby’s Diner and Seal Beach Port Fishing, to resume operations.

This is the second time in a decade that the pier has been closed. It was shut down in 1983 when winter storms damaged the midsection. Thankfully, Bankston said, the recent fire did not damage the major beams that support the pier.

Investigators said the fire was caused by an electrical short in the lifeguard tower that sparked a small fire and melted a natural gas line. A brisk breeze fanned the fire and helped it spread along the pier. Cost estimates for repairing the pier range from $60,000 to $100,000, said Orange County Fire Capt. Gary Hause. However, the figures do not include the cost of installing new utility lines.

Officials said a $2-million insurance policy is expected to cover the cost of repairing the pier.

Permanent repairs are expected to take as long as six weeks, Bankston said.