Watch Dramatic Video of the 1987 Long Branch Pier Fire
The Haunted Mansion, Big Al's Hot Dogs & Lemonade, Kid's World, Junior's Restaurant, the Giant Waterslide. Long Branch Pier was a popular destination for locals and visitors to the Shore. Everything changed June 8, 1987.
It was on June 8, 1987, that a gas leak and an electrical glitch sparked a fire under the pier. Heavy winds that day caused the fire to spread, destroying the whole pier. Amazingly, nobody was injured.
An immediate rebuild was planned, but owners reportedly had little to no insurance and couldn't find a way to fund a new Long Branch Pier.
The area deteriorated rapidly until 2001 when what was left of the damaged pier were torn down and replaced by stores and restaurants. This would eventually become known as Pier Village which debuted in 2005.
Many "Long Branch originals" remember June 8, 1987 well, and will likely never forget it.