Investigators have ruled out arson as a possible cause of a fire that engulfed the far seaward end of Oceanside Pier last week, causing extensive damage and forcing an indefinite closure of the historic seafront landmark in the northwestern corner of San Diego County.

Analysis of the scene of the blaze, which gutted a vacant restaurant building and a snack shop after erupting shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, points to an accidental cause of some sort, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.

In conducting such investigations, "we look at what we can rule out and what we can't rule out," OFD Chief David Parsons told reporters Monday afternoon during a briefing near the charred pier.

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