GASTON COUNTY, N.C. \u2014 A house fire in North Carolina on Sunday has claimed the life of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s father and left his mother critically injured, authorities said Monday evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Officials say the father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin died and his mother was critically injured after a weekend fire heavily damaged the North Carolina home where they lived
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Gaston County officials said Monday that firefighters arrived Sunday night at a two-story house near Stanley that was mostly engulfed in fire, with flames showing through the attic
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Officials say 75-year-old Dennis Hamlin and 69-year-old Mary Lou Hamlin were found outside the house suffering catastrophic injuries
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Dennis Hamlin died from his injuries at a hospital and Mary Lou Hamlin was being treated at a burn center, officials said<\/p>\n
Dennis Hamlin, 75, who supported his son’s rise to stardom in the stock car racing series, died from injuries he suffered in the fire Sunday, NASCAR said Monday<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, Denny Hamlin’s mother and wife of Dennis Hamlin, was being treated for her injuries at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, Gaston County Emergency Services said Monday evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n Firefighters arrived at the house on\u00a0Blacksnake Road<\/a>\u00a0in Gaston County, about 20 miles from Charlotte, about 6:27 p.m. Sunday to find it mostly engulfed, with flames emerging from the attic, Gaston County officials said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin escaped the flames but suffered what were described as “catastrophic injuries,” officials said.<\/p>\n Mary Lou Hamlin pulled her husband out of the fire,\u00a0Lucia Riverbend Fire Department Chief\u00a0David Toomey said.\u00a0<\/p>\n They were taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center, where Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries.<\/p>\n “NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Denny Hamlin and the entire Hamlin family,” the stock car series said in a statement. “Dennis Hamlin instilled a love of racing in his son, and sacrificed greatly to develop Denny into a world-class talent in the sport. We also continue to offer our thoughts and prayers to Denny’s mother, Mary Lou, and hope for her full recovery.”<\/p>\n Firefighters managed to save NASCAR memorabilia that was in the back of the house and at least six cars in the garage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dennis Hamlin had been in declining health, Denny Hamlin said as this year’s season was nearing its finish, according to NASCAR. Denny Hamlin dedicated his October victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to his father.\u00a0<\/p>\n Property records show the house is registered to Won One Real Estate LLC, which state records show is owned by Denny Hamlin.\u00a0<\/p>\n Denny Hamlin is one of the marquee drivers in NASCAR’s top circuit, having won 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500 three times.<\/p>\n The 45-year-old driver for Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to win a Cup points championship. He\u00a0fell short<\/a>\u00a0of the title during this season’s final race in Arizona last month.<\/p>\n The cause of the fire is under investigation.<\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram at\u00a0spectrumnews1nc<\/a>\u00a0for news and other happenings across North Carolina.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n