BILLINGS — A fire at a home in Billings early Wednesday caused an estimated $100,000 in damages and the cause is being investigated.
The fire damaged the detached garage, the outside of the house, and the dining room, fire officials said in a press release.
A teenager living in the house noticed the fire and safely evacuated his family. No injuries were reported.
The 3 a.m. fire at 104 Jefferson Street burned a garage and a shed. Fire crews arrived and found the garage and a shed engulfed in flames. They battled the fire in hopes of saving the home, but the flames did spread to the house.
The teen said he's the one who first noticed the fire and called 911. He said there's been a problem with people sleeping behind their home, so when he noticed the motion sensor light turn on he went outside to investigate, and that's when he saw the flames.
He rushed into the home to alert his family, including his disabled brother, and everyone was able to get out safely.
A neighbor at the scene said the family used a special-needs van that was parked inside the garage that burned.
The fire department also reported that while crews were fighting the fire, someone stole a department radio and protective equipment from a fire truck.
