WHITEHOUSE, Texas — A family in Whitehouse is recovering after their house was struck by lightning earlier this week for the second time in about a year.
"The fire investigator said it was like a one in 2 million chance," Whitehouse resident Blake Langley said.
The Langley home beat those odds on Monday night when it was struck by lightning for the second time in about 13 months. It was just Blake Langley and his son at home at the time and were both able to get out safely.
"This time it went so fast that, of course I got him out and was able to get the dog, but we didn’t have time for any other valuables," Langley said.
This is obviously a situation that no family wants to find themselves in, but for the Langleys, their road to recovery has already gotten a little bit of a jumpstart thanks to all the support they’ve received from their surrounding community.
"It’s the most overwhelming thing that I can, I can’t explain it. Seeing the outpour of love from everybody. People that we knew, don’t know, have met once, just extending food, their homes, offering to give us places to stay, let us come shower," Tonya Langley said.
Since the fire, the Langley’s church has given them a big boost. Additionally, Blake Langley used to be a firefighter in Longview, and that group is always willing to help someone in need.
"Members of our Hope Church Whitehouse family were here at the same time as my wife. They took my children away. The Whitehouse fire guys have pitched in to help. Another guy from Tyler named Keith has called me several times. He called me five minutes after the alarm went out. I haven’t talked to him in a year. Another friend from Longview was here today helping me dig through," Langley said.
Currently, the Langleys are staying with family and despite everything that’s happened to them, they are grateful to be a part of the generous East Texas community.
"You learn how many people you actually have in your corner in a tragedy and, I don’t know, I can’t even put it into words," Tonya Langley said.
If you would like to contribute to the Langley's GoFundMe, it can be found here.