NEED TO KNOW
\nDennis Hamlin, the father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, was killed in a fire at his North Carolina home on Sunday, Dec. 28, authorities saidDennis’ wife Mary Lou, 69, was “critically injured” in the blazeDenny Hamlin had spoken previously about his father’s battle with a serious illness<\/p>\n
Dennis Hamlin, the father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, was killed in a fire at his North Carolina home on Sunday.\n<\/p>\n
Officials confirmed on the evening of Monday, Dec. 29, that Dennis Hamlin, 75, died from injuries he sustained in the fire on Sunday, Dec. 28, Gaston County officials said, according to WCNC<\/a> and NASCAR<\/a>, citing the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services. Denny’s mother, 69-year-old Mary Lou Hamlin, was “critically injured” in the blaze, the outlet reported.\n<\/p>\n Authorities shared that both Dennis and Mary Lou were able to escape the home. Dennis was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Mary Lou is currently receiving treatment in Winston-Salem, N.C.\n<\/p>\n The nature of Mary Lou’s injuries were not disclosed, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.\n<\/p>\n PEOPLE reached out to the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services for more information.\n<\/p>\n Fire at the home of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s parents.<\/p>\n Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department\/Facebook<\/p>\n The flames broke out shortly after 6:19 p.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the home, which Chief David Toomey of the Lucia Riverbend Fire Department confirmed belongs to Hamlin\u2019s parents,\u00a0NBC affiliate WCNC<\/a> reported.\n<\/p>\n Fire at home of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s parents.<\/p>\n Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department\/Facebook<\/p>\n Chief Toomey said first responders found 45% of the home fully involved in the fire when they arrived. The home was a total loss, but a number of belongings from inside the home were recovered, he said.\n<\/p>\n Toomey told The Athletic there were “some really expensive cars in the garage and some racing memorabilia” that were saved and “undamaged.”\n<\/p>\n The outlet reported that 10 to 15 fire departments responded to the home due to its 3,700 square-foot size, as well as its location in a remote and wooded area without fire hydrants.\n<\/p>\n Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan on Oct. 6, 2024.<\/p>\n Chris Graythen\/Getty<\/p>\n It took firefighters more than two hours to extinguish the blaze due to a local water shortage, according to WRAL.\n<\/p>\n