The tallest structure in Bandon is no more. The 100-foot flagpole at the Bandon Rural Fire Department, which is used to fly probably the largest flag along the South Coast during fair weather, was struck by lightning early Thursday morning.
About 12:40 a.m., a bright flash of lightning, followed immediately by a booming clap of thunder that shook windows, lit up the sky in Bandon. It was soon discovered by Kim Boston of Bandon Fire, that the flagpole had been hit.
According to Fire Chief Lanny Boston, the pole, which is made out of fiberglass, is hollow and there must have been enough water inside to conduct electricity, as he surmises the lightning strike pressurized the pole from the inside, causing it to explode and break in hal