Spoelstra expresses gratitude after fire levels Miami home
spoelstra-grateful-after-fire-destroys-home
MIAMI — Standing beside his three children on Friday, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra publicly thanked friends, neighbors and first responders for what he called “absolutely remarkable” help after an early-morning blaze destroyed his residence.
The fire erupted around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, according to county records, while Spoelstra was on the team charter flying back from a Wednesday night game in Denver. The plane landed in Miami roughly 35 minutes after the call came in.
No one was hurt. Spoelstra’s children — Santiago, Dante and Ruby — were staying with their mother, and the family dog was also unharmed. “Things can be replaced. This is what matters,” the coach said, hugging his kids before the Heat hosted the Charlotte Hornets.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported intense heat and a partial roof collapse that forced crews to battle the flames from outside. Ladder trucks worked overhead, and some personnel remained on scene for about eight hours to monitor hot spots. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Spoelstra arrived to find multiple engines surrounding the fully involved structure. Witnesses saw him pacing the perimeter, at times holding his head as flames engulfed the home he purchased in December 2023 and extensively renovated.
“The police officers and firefighters were incredible,” he said. “They couldn’t save the house, but they kept it from spreading through the neighborhood and treated us with kindness.”
The Heat organization offered Spoelstra time away to handle personal matters, but he declined after his children asked to attend Friday’s game. Team staff — including players’ spouses and partners — have already begun replacing toys and other items lost in the fire, he noted.
Last month, Spoelstra finalized an agreement to coach the U.S. men’s basketball team at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He has been with the Heat since 1995 and head coach since 2008.
“The South Florida community has been overwhelming in its support,” Spoelstra said. “It’s been uniquely challenging, but the Spoelstras are resilient.”
Source: ESPN
