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Ron Rivera’s Charlotte home catches fire overnight

By Cory Buck

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera leaves the field at halftime against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera leaves the field at halftime against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Roughly 50 fire fighters were called in to fight a blaze at the home of Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.

The Charlotte Fire Department announced that the home of Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera suffered great fire, smoke and water damage, but fortunately no one was hurt, per the Associated Press. The blaze required 56 fire fighters to contain in over an hour’s time.

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“I’m OK,” Rivera told WCNC in Charlotte. “Everyone is fine, thank you guys.”

Rivera, his wife Stephanie, and some visiting family were in the house when the fire took place, but everyone safely escaped the flames thanks to the fire alarms and the family’s quick escape. From there, the local media picked up on the story and captured additional photos.

This comes at a bad time professionally for the Panthers head coach. Just a day before he was set to begin preparations for the team’s Divisional Round playoff game at the Seattle Seahawks, Rivera has been set back by a fire that could have been much worse.

Captain Rob Brisley said it was not immediately clear what started the fire, but that the home is not habitable at this time.

“The challenge with this large house was this fire had escaped to the roof area and it required more firefighters and extra hoses to contain,” Captain Rob Brisley said per the AP. “The fire department was able to control this fire in about an hour but we have a long morning ahead of us. The primary focus will be taking care of the family and their needs along with investigating the fire.”

The Carolina Panthers visit the Seahawks on Saturday night at 8:30 PM EST in the Divisional Round. Their improbable playoff run continues thanks to their home victory over the Arizona Cardinals, who were severely limited by the brutal quarterback play of Ryan Lindley.

The Panthers will need every bit of defensive mojo they brought in the Wild Card to stop Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, who have had an extra week to rest up and prepare to host yet another playoff game and begin their Super Bowl defense this playoff season.

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