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.
Spoelstra's home was destroyed by a blaze that broke out sometime around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. His children, Santiago, Dante and Ruby were at their mother's home at the time and nobody was injured in the blaze.
«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 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.»
Spoelstra was on an airplane when the fire started, flying home with the Heat from a Wednesday night game in Denver. The fire was called in around 4:36 a.m. Thursday, county records showed, and the Heat charter landed in Miami about 35 minutes later.
Multiple fire trucks were at the scene when Spoelstra arrived at his home. He was seen walking around the outside of the property in the predawn hours, sometimes stopping and holding his head in apparent disbelief as flames shot into the darkness.
«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
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