Fatal House Fire at NASCAR Star Denny Hamlin’s Father’s Home Ruled Accidental

Investigators have determined that the December house fire that claimed the life of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's father was accidental, though the specific cause remains unknown. Dennis Hamlin, 75, died from injuries sustained in the blaze while his wife Mary Lou survived.

GASTONIA, N.C. — Investigators have concluded that the December house fire that claimed the life of NASCAR star Denny Hamlin’s father was accidental, though officials say they still cannot determine what sparked the deadly blaze.

According to a report from Gaston County Emergency Management & Fire Services, the December 28th fire began in a bedroom of the two-story residence, but investigators could not pinpoint the “cause of ignition,” labeling it as “undetermined.”

Despite the unknown ignition source, county spokesperson Adam Gaub confirmed in a Friday email that the investigation concluded the fire was accidental in nature.

Emergency responders discovered Dennis Hamlin, 75, and his wife Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, outside their burning home that evening, both suffering from severe injuries. Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries, while Mary Lou survived the incident.

The residence, situated near Stanley approximately 20 miles northwest of Charlotte, was owned by a business entity that listed Denny Hamlin as its manager, public records show.

The NASCAR driver had previously disclosed that his father was battling a serious illness prior to the fire.

Denny Hamlin ranks among NASCAR’s elite competitors, with 60 Cup Series victories under his belt, including three Daytona 500 triumphs. Along with basketball legend Michael Jordan, Hamlin co-owns the racing team whose driver Tyler Reddick captured this year’s Daytona 500 championship just last weekend.