MIAMI — Flanked by his three children, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra spoke publicly Friday for the first time since fire burned down his residence and expressed appreciation for what he described as “absolutely remarkable” support in the aftermath.
“Things in the house, those things can be replaced,” Spoelstra said before Miami’s game with the Charlotte Hornets. “And if they can’t be replaced, what does it really matter? This is really what matters. Family, the closest ones, our dog also was safe, thank God. We’re just grateful. We’re grateful that everybody is safe and in a great place.”
The Heat won the game 126-108. And afterward, that’s when the magnitude of the moment began sinking in for Spoelstra.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Spoelstra said the Heat offered him a few days off if he needed to deal with personal matters, and he declined.
“The kids wanted to come to the game tonight,” Spoelstra said. “So, I figured if they want to come to the game, then I’d better work.”
“I want to give a shoutout to the first responders, the police officers and the firemen. They were amazing,” Spoelstra said. “They weren’t able to save our house, but obviously, we’ve seen things that could have spread to the rest of the neighborhood. They were very kind while they were trying to put out all the flames.”
Spoelstra said the Heat family have all offered support, and that some of the wives and girlfriends of players on the team are already busy trying to help the kids — who went to school as normal Friday — with a surprise or two.
“Ladder trucks were used to attack the fire from above,” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a news release. “The intense heat and a partial roof collapse forced crews to take a defensive approach, fighting the fire from the outside to ensure firefighter safety. … The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
He finalized a deal last month to serve as coach of the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“I just want to thank everybody for this overwhelming support,” Spoelstra said with his sons on either side of him as he spoke and his daughter in his lap. “The South Florida community has just been absolutely remarkable. People reaching out, wanting to help. It’s obviously been something that’s uniquely challenging for our family, but Spoelstras are resilient.”
“Possibly some toys that were lost in the house,” Spoelstra said. “They’ve been amazing.”
Spoelstra thanks everybody for ‘amazing’ support after fire destroys home (0:50)Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expresses his gratitude in the aftermath of losing his home in a fire. (0:50)