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# Pier catches fire
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/pier-catches-fire/
- Published: 2002-05-01T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:15:52.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Pier, #archive-import

Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press The Santa Monica Fire Department was called to The Santa Monica Pier at 6 p.m. Tuesday when a small fire broke out under the pier and burned several boards. Fire officials believe a discarded cigarette was the cause of the fire, which they said is a common occurrence on the pier.The smoke activated the pier’s sprinkler system, which is located beneath the pier and sprays the boards from underneath. There was only minor damage caused and a few boards will have to be replaced, fire officials said. A total of three fire engines were dispatched to the scene, where 21 SMFD fire fighters easily extinguished the small blaze.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/050102-04_01.jpg)

The Santa Monica Fire Department was called to The Santa Monica Pier at 6 p.m. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 1, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050102.pdf?ref=smdp.com)