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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Rains fall over parts of the Oregon Gulch Fire New managers hope to make Historic Ashland Armory the city's Crystal Ballroom Since You Asked: Where have all the balloons gone? Get Up & Go: Tuesday, Aug. 5 Mail Tribune 100 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Rains fall over parts of the Oregon Gulch Fire Medford man who was misidentified as arson suspect released from jail Emergency Services Still fighting lots of fires in national forest, but sizes are small UPDATED: Oregon Gulch Fire 20 percent contained Politics and Elections Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Bates-Dotterrer race called critical to Senate control Richardson challenges Kitzhaber during debate Education Free meals program expands in Grants Pass Migrant student numbers soar $21 million Science Building upgrades begin at SOU Eagle Point district mulls fate of Trail school SOU Provost James Klein plans to retire State news Nation - World Obituaries Emma Elizabeth Ronald J. 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Coach Riley prepares Beavers for fall camp Mannion, Beavers look to close the gap Pro Sports Isner loses to Dodig in Rogers Cup Serena secures Stanford tourney Giants rally to beat Bills in HOF Game McIlroy victorious at Bridgestone Allred finishes sixth at Barracuda Community Sports Larkins named Oregon Bowling Proprietors of Year Mavs capture Legion A state title Medford Mustangs win American Legion state title Allred to enter Hall of Fame at Pepperdine Comet rally falls short in Legion A tourney Business Latest Stories $200 million development begins in south Medford Blog: Part 2: How to Stay Cool in 100 Degree Weather Avista requests rate hike of 9.7% Blog: Study finds Oregon's exports slow to recover Contractor sweep nets 34 violations in S. 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Dining India Palace Taco Riendo Uber Herbal Coquina Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Lightning hits too close to home for Ashland resident Williamson Way resident has water line busted, pilot lights knocked out, TV fried and his wall scorched By Greg Stiles MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Posted Aug. 1, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Aug 1, 2014 at 12:29 AM By Greg Stiles Posted Aug. 1, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Aug 1, 2014 at 12:29 AM » RELATED CONTENT • 170 structures threatened in Oregon Gulch fire » Social News ASHLAND — Like many people living on the south end of the Bear Creek drainage, Troy Ferguson was entranced by the dozens of lightning strikes pounding the surrounding hills Wednesday evening. "It was a hellacious storm," Ferguson said. "It was a fantastic thunder and lightning show. We lost count of all the strikes, but we had a good vantage point for watching Grizzly Peak." One even struck at nearby North Mountain Park. Moments later, sometime around 10 p.m., a bolt smashed into his Williamson Way property. "It felt like a bomb went off in our house," said the former Marine, who was in the house with his fiancée, Jodie Kollanda. "We don't know if it was a direct hit to the house or traveled in from the front of the house." What was clear, however, was the water line was busted, the air conditioner failed, pilot lights to the fireplace and water heater were snuffed, the television and cable were fried. A light switch cover was blown off and several switches were put out of commission. "We do have some electricity," Ferguson said Thursday morning. At that point, he was waiting for a plumber to reconnect the water line. "It exploded the PVC pipe," he said. "We could see the water boiling out of the water main and running down the street. It probably took about an hour to get it turned off. I can't wait to see the bill with the new water restrictions in place; hopefully the city will work with us." The light switch cover disintegrated as it blew off the wall, with some pieces yet to be found. "I was standing right in front of it before it happened and Jodie was 3 feet from it," Ferguson said. The scorched wall and hot-metal smell remained along with a hint of ozone. "We didn't call the fire department right away," Ferguson said. "We were more concerned because the pilot lights were knocked out and called Avista first." The strike was one of four to which Ashland Fire & Rescue responded during the night. Lightning set off the fire alarm at Emeritus Senior Living, 548 N. Main St. A residence on Ashland Loop Road sustained electrical damage. The exterior of a house on Terra Avenue was scorched, but showed no signs of smoke or fire damage. Ferguson's neighbor, Dee Anne Everson, said her niece visiting from Arizona was on her telephone in the bedroom when the enormous thunderclap hit. "She came out with the widest eyes I've ever seen," said Everson, whose electricity flickered but remained on. Everson took cupcakes over to her neighbors the next morning. "I'm just thankful they weren't hurt," she said. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, friend him on Facebook and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge. By Greg Stiles MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Posted Aug. 1, 2014 @ 12:01 am Updated Aug 1, 2014 at 12:29 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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