The smell of smoke briefly filled the air in Downtown Long Beach Monday afternoon when the historic Jergins Tunnel caught fire for the second time this year.

It wasn’t immediately clear how much damage the fire caused, but smoke was seen billowing out of the tunnel around 2:50 p.m. and the Long Beach Fire Department responded shortly after.

Crews shut down northbound Pine Avenue from Seaside Way to Ocean Boulevard and Eastbound Ocean Boulevard was reduced to one lane between Pine Avenue and The Promenade as crews worked to douse the flames.

The fire was started in a confined space within the tunnel that was believed to be occupied by people experiencing homelessness, according to LBFD spokesman Jake Heflin. Upon arrival, crews determined that there was no one inside and there were no reported injuries.

The tunnel first caught fire two months ago on March 3, according to Long Beach fire Capt. Jack Crabtree. According to Heflin, it is not known if the March fire was also caused by people experiencing homelessness.

Fire crews gain access to an area near the Jergins Tunnel near the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue after a small fire broke out Monday, May 9, 2022. Photo by Brandon Richardson.

Photos: Small fire breaks out at historic Jergins Tunnel in Downtown