BREAKING: One Dead, One Hospitalized After Fire at Home Linked to NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin
John
Mon, December 29, 2025 at 6:36 PM UTC
2 min read
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One person has died and another remains hospitalized following a large house fire Sunday night at a North Carolina property connected to NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, according to county officials, as authorities continue to investigate the cause.
Fire crews from multiple counties were called to the scene after the blaze broke out at the home, according to a statement posted by the Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department. Photos shared by the department showed the main structure heavily engulfed in flames, with extensive damage visible by the time the fire was extinguished.
Initial report: Fire Destroys North Carolina Home Lived In by Parents of NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin
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At least two people were injured in the fire. Officials initially said the extent of their injuries was not known. On Monday, Gaston County officials confirmed that one of the injured individuals had died. The second person was hospitalized. The identities of both individuals have not yet been released.
In a message shared on social media, the Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department thanked responding agencies and asked the public to keep the affected family and first responders in their thoughts. Firefighters, emergency medical services and law enforcement were among those who responded to the incident.
Property tax records link the home to a company owned by Hamlin and his father, Dennis Hamlin. As of early Monday, Hamlin had not publicly commented on the fire. He is typically active on social media but had not addressed the incident online at the time the death was confirmed.
Fire officials have not released information about what may have caused the blaze. Investigators have not said whether the fire is believed to be accidental or whether other factors are being examined. No timeline has been given for when additional details might be made public.
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The incident comes during a notable period in Hamlin’s racing career. The 45-year-old driver earned his 60th Cup Series victory earlier this year and narrowly missed securing his first championship in November after late-race developments resulted in Kyle Larson winning the season finale.
Sunday’s fire also occurred just 10 days after a deadly plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others, an event that had already cast a shadow over the racing community.
Officials said the house fire remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.