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Family escapes Medford house fire Friday Oct 14, 2016 at 8:35 AM Oct 14, 2016 at 3:33 PM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil A family escaped injury from a Friday morning fire, but their home sustained substantial damage. The fire, at 469 Midway Road in northwest Medford off Merriman Road, was reported at 2:58 a.m. Medford Fire-Rescue and Jackson County Fire District 3 responded with four engines and found the house in flames, said Medford Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Ron Nelson. The fire is believed to have started outside between a detached garage and the house in an area near the laundry room and kitchen. Nelson said one of the two women living there said she smelled smoke and awoke her daughter and her daughter's children. They all left the house as smoke alarms sounded. Crews had the fire knocked down in about 20 minutes. There was little rainfall at the time to assist firefighting efforts, Nelson said. The house sustained damage to the kitchen, dining area, laundry room and living room. Nelson estimated damage at about $45,000 to the structure and about $15,000 to contents. The occupants are staying with family as the investigation into the cause continues. "(We're) not ruling out anything until they investigate all potential causes," Nelson said.   Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.