‘Accidental causes’ likely, officials say [Video]

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The fire that burned part of the Oceanside Pier last week likely started from “accidental causes,” officials said Monday, adding that there was no evidence it was intentionally set.

The blaze broke out on the end of the pier Thursday afternoon, ripping through a former Ruby’s Diner and sending a large plume of black smoke billowing overhead. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours and, after a period of subsequent smoke, deemed the fire completely out early Monday.

Oceanside Fire Chief David Parsons shared investigators’ preliminary findings during a news conference Monday, opening with the discovery that the blaze started on the northwest corner of the pier, outside of the restaurant building.

“No evidence of an incendiary or intentional act was found,” Parsons said, adding that an accelerant-detection K9 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms searched the area and found “zero hits and zero interest.”

Parsons added that due to the weather conditions that day — no …