Boy Survives being Struck by Lightning Inside His Own Home

A 13-year-old Texas boy was shocked by an electrical current while playing video games on his computer after lightning struck his family’s home and surged through the house’s wiring, authorities said.

The frightening incident happened Tuesday in Cypress, a Houston suburb, as storms moved through the area. According to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman, the lightning strike not only injured the teen but also sparked a small fire in the attic of the home.

The boy, identified as Vladyslav Skuridin, was using his computer when the lightning hit.

“I felt a shock go through my whole body and I saw a super bright white light then I quickly jolted back and I was super dizzy and confused,” Vladyslav said in a statement to ABC News through his mother on Wednesday. “Also, I kind of just started screaming because there was a super loud boom that made my ears hurt and pop.”

Emergency medical services evaluated the teen at the scene, but he was not taken to a hospital, according to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.

His mother, Yuliia Skuridina, told ABC News that her son was “feeling good,” though the shock left a pattern on his chest. She said the family planned to have him checked by a doctor to make sure he was OK.

The lightning strike also left behind visible damage to the home. Skuridina said the roof showed damage consistent with a lightning strike, while the attic fire, a broken gas pipe and multiple damaged appliances added to the terrifying aftermath.

Authorities said the Cypress Creek Fire Department also responded to the residence.

The Houston-area forecast on Tuesday had called for isolated thunderstorms and showers. Herman said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

After the close call, Herman urged families to take lightning seriously during storms.

“During thunderstorms, avoid using corded electronics and stay away from electrical wiring and plumbing, as lightning can travel through a home’s electrical system,” he said in a statement.

The National Weather Service has long warned that hundreds of people are seriously injured by lightning each year, making the Cypress teen’s frightening experience another reminder that danger can strike even inside the home.