A fire broke out Sunday night at a property owned by NASCAR figure Denny Hamlin in Stanley, N.C., resulting in two people being taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation. The incident, centered on the well-known Denny Hamlin house fire, prompted a large emergency response, as crews worked to control the rapidly moving flames.
Emergency Response and Evacuation Efforts
The blaze at the four-bedroom Gaston County home was reported at 6:19 p.m. ET, according to Lucia Riverbend Fire Department Chief David Toomey. Upon arrival, first responders found the residence, owned by Hamlin’s real estate company Won One Real Estate, already close to half consumed by fire. Neighbors told WSOC TV that Hamlin’s parents lived at the home.
The lack of fire hydrants in the area complicated response efforts, requiring water to be transported to the site. Fire crews battled the fire for approximately two hours before it was extinguished.
“Well, this house was about 40-45% involved when we got here. Of course, where we are located there are no hydrants, so all the water had to be trucked in and there were times we would run out of water and we had to wait for more water to get here,”
Toomey, Lucia Riverbend Fire Department Chief
“We had to call for more, additional tankers throughout the county.”
Toomey, Lucia Riverbend Fire Department Chief
Valuables and Racing Memorabilia Saved
Despite the severity of the fire, Toomey reported to The Athletic that firefighters managed to rescue racing memorabilia and high-value cars from the property. The quick work by the responders was essential in limiting the loss to personal and historic items related to Hamlin’s NASCAR career.
Denny Hamlin’s Background and Recent Events
Denny Hamlin, age 45, is recognized for co-owning 23XI Racing with basketball legend Michael Jordan. In 2025, Hamlin concluded the NASCAR Cup Series season in second place, adding six more wins to his career, which now totals 60 victories at the highest level of the sport. Earlier in June, Hamlin’s racing team and Front Row Motorsports resolved a prominent antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR, reportedly for millions of dollars.
Outlook and Community Impact
The fire at Hamlin’s family home in Stanley highlights ongoing safety concerns in areas without fire hydrants, as well as the importance of timely emergency response. The outcome could have been far worse; thanks to the concerted efforts of local firefighters and responders, key racing valuables were preserved, and only two individuals sustained injuries requiring hospital evaluation. Community members remain attentive as recovery and assessment continue.
