Denny Hamlin’s mother pleads for fire funding after fatal North Carolina blaze
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The mother of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin made an emotional plea before Gaston County officials this week for more funding for the fire department after he nearly lost his life in the North Carolina fire that killed her husband in December.
Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, gave a heartbreaking account of the Dec. 28 house fire that killed her husband, Dennis Hamlin, 75, and left the family home in ruins.
Denny Hamlin looks on ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 5, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)
“I’m sorry, I was trying not to cry,” Mary Lou Hamlin said before the Gaston County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday.
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“December 28 was one of the most painful days of my life. I saw my wife of 52 years for the last time when I was taken out of our burning house. In addition to losing my husband, I lost everything in my life.”
Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin were found outside the two-story home near Stanley, suffering from what authorities at the time described as catastrophic injuries. Dennis Hamlin later died from his injuries at the hospital, while his wife was transferred to a private hospital in Winston-Salem for treatment of her burn injuries.
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“I didn’t realize at the time that the fire trucks were there but there was no water,” Mary Lou Hamlin continued Tuesday.
“There was no water to put out my house. I’m advocating for funding to be included in this year’s budget; emergency response training, additional equipment, personnel like you just heard are just a few of the things that will help strengthen fire protection in our area where funds are sorely needed.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, exits his car after the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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Denny Hamlin’s sister, Lisa Chapman, also appeared before the board and recalled the shock she felt after arriving at the scene.
“There’s nothing worse than arriving at a house on fire and seeing everyone standing in the road,” he said through tears. “You can’t throw water into the fire.”
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