Lightning strikes couple's home in northeast Harris County

HUMBLE, Texas – A lightning strike is to blame for a house fire in northeast Harris County, officials said.

The fire happened around 6:30 a.m. in an area just east of FM 1960 and the Eastex Freeway. A couple inside the house said they heard a loud boom and assumed their neighbor’s home had been hit, but then started smelling smoke.

Officials said the couple made it out okay, but not before trying to put the fire out themselves.

The couple has lived in the house since 1980.