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Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s home was destroyed in a fire early Thursday morning, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
No one was home when the house caught fire long before sunrise — Spoelstra was returning to Miami from a game in Denver, and his children were at their mother’s house.
In his first comment since the fire, before Miami’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, Spoelstra thanked the “amazing” first responders.
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Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. (Peter Thomas/Imagine Images)
“I want to applaud the first responders, police officers and firefighters. They were amazing. They couldn’t save our house, but obviously we saw things that could have spread to the rest of the neighborhood. They were very kind trying to put out all the fires,” he said. “Things in the house, those things can be replaced. And if they can’t be replaced, what really matters? That’s what really matters. Family, those closest to us, and our dog too was safe, thank God. We’re just grateful. We’re grateful that everyone is safe and in a great place.”
Spoelstra said the Heat offered him a few days off if he needed to deal with personal matters, but he declined.
“The kids wanted to come to the game tonight,” Spoelstra said. “So, I thought, if they want to come to the game, I better work.”
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s home caught fire on November 6, 2025. (WSVN-TV)
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Spoelstra also thanked the “absolutely wonderful” South Florida community for their “overwhelming support.”
“People are reaching out and wanting to help. Obviously it’s been something that’s been uniquely challenging for our family, but the Spoelstras are resilient.”
The Heat scored a record 53 points in the first quarter en route to a 126-108 victory. He then said that “in an ideal world, I’d rather go home” after the game.
The fire was reported at about 4:36 a.m., and Spoelstra arrived at the scene shortly after the plane landed, Miami-Dade County fire officials said. Cameras showed Spoelstra approaching the house looking dazed WSVN-TV in Miami.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat speaks to the media during Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Firefighters initially focused on the garage of the multi-million dollar home before flames began to spread through the property.
Fox News Channel’s Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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