One person has died and another has been left with life-threatening injuries after a fire at a North Carolina home owned by the parents of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, according to local officials.
Emergency crews responded to the blaze on Sunday evening in Stanley, North Carolina. Officials later confirmed that the property belongs to Hamlin’s parents. Investigators have not yet released the identities of the victims.
Local media reported that first responders arrived shortly after 6:19 p.m. The fire had already spread through a large portion of the house by the time crews reached the scene.
Emergency response and casualties
Chief David Toomey of the Lucia Riverbend Fire Department confirmed that one person died as a result of the fire. A second individual suffered critical injuries and remains in serious condition.
Both victims were outside the home when firefighters arrived. Paramedics transported them to a nearby hospital for treatment, with smoke inhalation listed as a concern.
“The scene was challenging from the moment crews arrived,” Toomey told local outlets.
Firefighters found nearly half of the house fully engulfed. Crews worked for more than two hours to bring the blaze under control.
Home destroyed as investigation begins
The fire caused extensive damage and destroyed the home. Despite the scale of the blaze, firefighters managed to recover several items from inside the property.
Toomey confirmed that some valuable belongings survived the fire.
“There were some really expensive cars in the garage and some racing memorabilia,” he told The Athletic. “Those items were undamaged.”
Officials said between 10 and 15 fire departments responded due to the size of the home and its remote location. The property sits in a wooded area without nearby fire hydrants, which slowed suppression efforts.
Investigators have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire. Fire officials said they have begun a full review of the scene.
Tough year for Hamlin family
The incident comes during a difficult period for the Hamlin family. Earlier this year, Hamlin revealed that his father is dealing with a serious illness.
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, has not commented publicly on the fire. His representatives did not issue a statement at the time of reporting.
Hamlin currently co-owns 23XI Racing alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan while continuing to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Officials stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and asked the public to avoid speculation as authorities work to determine what caused the fire.
