Long Branch Pier Fire — Back to ’87
LB Pier Fire, ’87
Lost city summers …
Long Branch has a lengthy and storied history as a beach resort destination, with its iconic pier playing a central role in that past. When the pier burned in June 1987, part of the city’s identity went up in smoke too. Going back nearly 200 years Long Branch had a pier on the Atlantic coast — five in total since 1828. All are ancient history now.
In the ensuing four decades since the big blaze there’s been talk — on and off — about building a new pier. Talk only though and that’s a pity. My 5 years of deep-dive research on the pier (and boardwalk) gives me a sense that it was very near the cradle of city entertainment and connectivity. Stories of its past can overflow the mind.
Most locals have their own lasting memories and experiences with the city’s landmark pier. There’s a lot to remember. It reeked of rustic Jersey Shore charm. A step beyond carny — a bit more polished. Amusements and arcades. Dancing and drinking. Fishing and eating. Connecting and carousing. It was safe — mostly. It was clean — mostly. It was affordable — mostly.
Long Branch Boardwalk & Pier History — HERE
I was working at the Atlanticville newspaper office on lower Broadway (in the old Woolworth building) the afternoon the pier fire started over 35 years ago. I was just launching my journalism career working for the city’s venerable news weekly. The pier fire made for great copy.
It would take a miracle to build a new pier now. It’s over a decade since the idea of a new one was last seriously discussed. Even then it had a $125 million+ price tag. Have a look at these Long Branch Pier fire images and recollect some:
Pouring It On — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. Pat Cicalese — who owed the whole works — took this photo. A Newark native, “Patsy” had family business interests on the city oceanfront going back to the early 1960s.
Hot Stuff — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. City firefighters gave it their all that day — to no avail.
All Means — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. The US Coast Guard fought the blaze from the sea.
Gold Coast — Long Branch oceanfront aerial mage — during its renaissance, about 1980.
Beach Day — Long Branch pier and beach, 1979 (Dan Hennessy Photo).
Never Happened — New Long Branch Pier sketch proposal. Long Branch Daily Record, July 1910. The concept never went further. The design was by Cottrell Architects — who did the Asbury Park Casino in 1903.
Pier Prep — Long Branch beach and pier, 1912. The new pier — after a decade of delay — was under construction at the time. It looks skeletal here.
City Heights — Long Branch Pier aerial view, 1950s.
Paper of Record — Newspaper story about the beginnings of the last Long Branch Pier, New York Times, September 1910.
Fire Sale — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Flaming Pier — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. The fire burned uncontrolled for hours.
Well Done! — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987 (Frank Mainieri Photo). City firefighters engage at the McDonald’s on the boardwalk. It was the fast-food restaurant’s “faulty wiring” that brought down a Long Branch landmark.
Up in Smoke — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. At the time of the fire pier businesses employed about 200 people.
Toasted — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Sad Scene — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. Powerful west winds reaching 30 mph fed the destructive fire.
Beached — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Hooked — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987 (Frank Mainieri Photo).
Where There’s Smoke — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Dark Day — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987 (Frank Mainieri Photo). Looking east on Chelsea Avenue; Pistol Pete’s is on the left.
Hot Spot — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987 (Frank Mainieri Photo). The boardwalk McDonald’s collapses into the sea.
Adult Problems — Kid’s World on the Long Branch pier after the fire, June 1987. (Rich Bendock Photo).
No Kids! — Long Branch Pier fire remains, June 1987.
In Ashes — City pier in ruins after June 1987 fire.
A Pitted Pier — Long Branch pier in ruins, June 1987.
Warm Leftovers — Long Branch pier in ruins from major fire, June 1987.
News Worthy — TV reporters at city pier fire conduct interviews outside Pistol Pete’s restaurant, June 1987.
The Day After — Governor Thomas Kean and Mayor Phil Huhn after touring the Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
Dark Time — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Out of Control — Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
No Fluke — Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
Game Over — Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
Aerial Assistance — Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
In the Beginning — Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
All Gone — Long Branch pier fire, June 1987.
Take Out — Big Al’s on the pier in ruins, June 1987.
Pouring it On — City firefighters during the early stage of the Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Into the Sea — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Fun All Fried — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. Amongst the damage were these arcade pinball machines (Frank Gibson Photo).
Don’t Look — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987.
Sad relic — Long Branch Pier remains, 1995.
Sad state — the once-popular Long Branch Pier in ruins, late 1990s.
The End — Rotting remains of Long Branch pier. The oceanfront site was condemned by the city in August 1997 and finally torn down in April 1998. In conjunction with the city’s $2.6 million beach replenishment project, the US Army Corps of Engineers did the demolition for just $19,000. In June 1998, a three-member condemnation committee ruled that the burned-out remains of the pier/amusement park were worth $550,000. Owner Patsy Cicalese had sought $4 million as just compensation.
CANT BELIEVE ITS BEEN THAT LONG AGO. I WAS THERE THE DAY IT WAS BURNING. WHAT A SHAME. SUCH A PART OF HISTORY IN LB. THE FIREMEN DID A GREAT JOB. I HAVE PICTURES SOMEWHERE. STILL MISS THE PIER — AND ALL THE RIDES AND STANDS.
Strange what our minds file away. I can still see all the pigeons flying around the pier in panic as their nests and offspring when up in smoke. I remember not so much about the ruined businesses but instead crying about the loss of animal life.