A Billings Heights couple lost their home and their cars in a Friday morning fire, but they say they feel fortunate to be alive.Hear from the homeowner below: Fire guts home, destroys two vehicles in Billings HeightsThe house in the 1200 block of Caroline Street was engulfed in flames around 8:30 a.m., according to Billings firefighters.The homeowner, Andrew Rudolph, said he didn't even know it was on fire until someone knocked on their door."Somebody doing work in the area came over and said your garage has smoke coming from it," Rudolph said.Thats when Rudolph and his wife learned their garage was on fire. Rudolph says he quickly went to the garage to see the situation for himself.Opened up the door and saw the flames closed it quickly grabbed the dog. My wife was at the top of the steps I said to call 911 and let's get out," he said.Rudolph says the fire was already spreading before firefighters could arrive.It became so intense, it basically melted his pickup truck and his wife's car parked outside the garage.Right now just trying to absorb it all not just the car, but everything together. Just the fact that it melted a vehicle like that is totally mind-blowing," he said.The heat from the house fire was so hot it also melted some of the siding of their neighbor's house. As Rudolph assessed the damage, he said he feels grateful it wasn't worse.I guess the only thing you can be thankful for is having your life. No family members got hurt or killed. I guess we'll have to deal with our insurance and get it all replaced, he said.And he adds how grateful he is to the man who came and told him his garage was on fire.Thank god for him. Thank god for the fire department and the police department. All the guys you criticize sometimes, but when you need 911- they're there for you," he said.ACCORDING TO BFD. dispatched, consisting ofFour engine companies, one truck company, one battalion chief, one safety officer, and one ambulance, for a total of 17 firefighters and EMS personnel were dispatched, according to the Billings Fire Department. Fire crews brought the fire under control and extinguished it, and responding units were subsequently returned to service.The probable cause of the fire was determined to be the improper disposal of smoking material, according to Billings firefighters. ...read more read less