Long Branch Pier Fire — Back to ’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 was recently confirmed by city and federal officials that a new pier will be built — preliminary work on a modern 500-foot-long pedestrian/fishing pier had begun. The $8+ million project will be off Laird Street. 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 1962.

“Tearful Vigil” — Pier owner Pat Cicalese weeps as his empire of fun has a meltdown. Red Bank Daily Register, June 1987.

Dark Matter — Long Branch Pier fire, Red Bank Daily Register, June 1987. The city spent nearly $100,000 fighting the fire.

Hot Stuff — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. City firefighters gave it their all that day — to no avail.

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.

Paper of Record — Newspaper story about the beginnings of the last Long Branch Pier, New York Times, September 1910.

Blue Dolphin Pub on Ocean Avenue opposite the Long Branch Pier. Opened in 1976, it was go-go bar in later years before becoming Twin Peaks in 1992. Joining several other city nude dancing girl establishments — “Stars & Bars,” “Strutters” and “Encounters.” Going back to 1955, the spot had been the Dolphin Inn bought by Orlando and Joseph Melillo.

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.

Sad Scene — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. Powerful west winds reaching 30 mph fed the destructive fire.

Hooked — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987 (Frank Mainieri Photo). US Coast Guard ships poured some 10,000 gallons per minute onto the smoldering pier to keep it from re-igniting.

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).

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.

Fun All Fried — Long Branch Pier fire, June 1987. Amongst the damage were these arcade pinball machines (Frank Gibson Photo).

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.