STANLEY, N.C. (WBTV) – NASCAR is mourning the loss of Dennis Hamlin, the father of driver Denny Hamlin, who was killed in a Gaston County house fire just days after Christmas.
Dennis died on Sunday, Dec. 28, in a massive fire at a home along Blacksnake Road near Upper Stanley Road in Stanley.
“Dennis Hamlin instilled a love of racing in his son and sacrificed greatly to develop Denny into a world-class talent in the sport,” NASCAR communications said.
Mary Lou Hamlin, Denny’s mother, reportedly suffered catastrophic injuries while escaping the burning building.
“We also continue to offer our thoughts and prayers to Denny’s mother, Mary Lou, and hope for her full recovery,” NASCAR communications said.
Denny Hamlin (left), deadly house fire (right)(Courtesy: AP/Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department)What happened
Emergency officials said they responded around 6:20 p.m. to a two-story home that was fully engulfed, with flames visible throughout the attic.
Firefighters found that Dennis and Mary Lou were seriously injured outside the residence, and both were rushed to the hospital. Dennis died at the hospital, and Mary Lou was taken to a burn center in Winston-Salem, where she is being treated.
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Officials reported that the cause of the fire remains under investigation due to extensive damage and structural collapse.
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