A Texas teenager is counting himself lucky after being struck by lightning while playing video games in his bedroom.
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The frightening incident happened on Tuesday at the home of 13-year-old Vlad Skuridin in Cypress, near Cypress View Drive and Spring Cypress Road.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, Vlad escaped without serious injuries.
Lightning Strike Shocks Teen While Playing Video Games
The family believes the lightning first struck a nearby tree before traveling through the home's electrical system and into Vlad's abdomen.
They believe the current passed through a metal part of his desk that was touching his skin.
"I was just sitting here, everything was going fine... playing games, I was not expecting anything and there is a metal part right here and my skin was touching it, so I got shocked," Vlad said.
"I just jumped out really fast and I started screaming. It was crazy. I honestly thought I was gonna die, I did not think I was going to survive that. I don't know how I survived it."
Vlad said the powerful jolt threw him backward.
His father immediately called 911, and firefighters quickly responded to the scene.
Teen Walks Away After Freak Accident
According to Harris County Precinct 4 Constables, the electrical current traveled through the home's wiring and sparked a small fire in the attic.
Although Vlad was evaluated after the incident, he did not require hospital treatment.
"I'm feeling fine, but I'm still a little shocked and dizzy. Not from the shock, from the lightning, but just everything that happened here is crazy," the boy added.
He said the experience has changed the way he views life.
"Anything can happen at any moment. You just got to be ready for it. You got to be nice to everybody. It can end whenever. It can end whenever you want, man," he said.
Following the incident, fire officials reminded residents to avoid using corded electronics during thunderstorms and to stay away from electrical wiring and plumbing.
Officials say lightning can travel through a home's electrical system, creating a serious risk even for people indoors.
