LONGVIEW (KYTX) - Another early morning fire rips through a Longview home -- with people still inside.
The couple who lived there didn't get hurt -- but now they have nowhere to live.
"I couldn't believe the car was on fire," said Judy Tidmore.
Judy Tidmore and her husband were asleep in their Longview home Friday morning when their dog frantically woke them up.
"My rescued dog Kara, the corgi, wouldn't leave us alone. We kept saying, 'Stop it stop it,' and she kept licking my face. She smelled the smoke," explained Tidmore.
Not hearing any smoke alarms but smelling burning rubber, Judy went to the garage to get a better look.
Judy says, "Our fire alarms were working but they didn't go off until I opened the door to the garage. black smoke came in. Then they did go off."
Judy and her husband grabbed their three dogs and got out of the house. She called 911 on her cell phone. Within minutes, emergency crews showed up to try to get the fire under control.
"Although we want you to call 911 as quickly as possible getting out alive and getting your family first is priority. There may be a little more house damage but delaying to evacuate could cost you your life," said Longview fire Marshal Johnny Zachary.
Zachary says the fire started in the engine compartment of Judy's 2002 Honda accord.
Judy said she noticed her car acting funny the day before. Investigators are still working to figure out the exact cause.
Zachary says, "If you have a concern about your vehicle, park it outside until you get a chance to work on it."
Even though fire heavily damaged her home of thirty five years, Judy's love of animals is still intact...
"Everybody needs to rescue an animal cuz they rescue you right back," Judy said.
The Tidmore's will be spending the next few nights in a pet friendly hotel after which they will be renting a house from a friend.
