Lightning Bolt Sends Large Tree Crashing Down

The tree caused no injuries but left a homeowner shaken after hearing what she initially believed was an explosion.

Photos courtesy: Keizer Fire

(KEIZER) - Fourth of July starts out with a bang in Keizer early Tuesday morning for one Keizer homeowner. Pam Jones of 4968 Sea Gale Way N in west Keizer said it sounded like an explosion when a bolt of lightning struck the tree outside her home.

Fire crews found a that large evergreen-type tree had taken a direct hit causing it to be spilt down the center and scattering tree bark over the cul-de-sac. There was no smoke or fire upon the fire district’s arrival.

They say it is fortunate that there were no injuries or power lines down or damage to the home.

Homeowner Pam Jones says she was listening to the thunderstorm that was passing through the area, when she heard the emergency alert system broadcast on TV and then heard a large explosion.

She looked out her front window and all she could see was tree branches. Keizer fire crews found Ms. Jones shaken, but unharmed.

It also appears that lightning also struck some communications equipment in West Salem making the fire district's main 2-way radio channel inoperable, causing them to operate on a backup frequency for several hours until radio technicians could make repairs.