Authorities have provided more information into the tragic offseason fire that claimed the life of Denny Hamlin's father.
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According to a report from the Gaston County Emergency Management & Fire Services, the Dec. 28 fire originated in a bedroom. The investigation determined that this was an accident. The cause of ignition remained undetermined.
The fire occurred on Dec. 28 at a house on the 100 block of Blacksnake Road near upper Stanley, North Carolina. Hamlin's parents, Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin, were outside of the home with injuries when first responders arrived on site.
They had to be transported to the hospital. Dennis, who had been in declining health, passed away. Mary Lou survived.
A Hamlin-owned company was listed as the manager of the property. Lucia Riverbend Fire Department Chief David Toomey called the house a total loss while speaking to the media after the fire. Toomey noted that the family had some expensive cars and racing memorabilia in the garage that they were able to save.
The fire occurred after Hamlin had completed his 20th full-time season at NASCAR's top level. He won six races while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, and he moved to 10th on the all-time wins list with a playoff victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The veteran driver dominated the championship race while leading 208 laps, but a caution for William Byron blowing a tire and hitting the wall forced the field to line back up for a final restart.
Hamlin lost the championship lead to Kyle Larson on pit road after his team opted for a four-tire stop. He ultimately finished second in the standings while Larson won his second career Cup Series title.
Hamlin is back in the Cup Series for another full season. However, he is racing with an injury. He has a partially torn shoulder, which he suffered while going through the remnants of the house fire.
