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Fire causes $500K damage at Panthers' coach Ron Rivera's home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers head coach Ron Rivera spoke publicly Monday afternoon after his house caught fire Monday morning.

DETAILS: Rivera speaks publicly for first time after house fire

The Charlotte Fire Department said the fire caused approximately $500,000 in damage to Rivera's home. The fire department said the cause of the accidental fire was the fireplace.

Firefighters battled flames at the home of Carolina Panthers' head coach Ron Rivera in south Charlotte early Monday morning.

IMAGES: Panthers' Coach Ron Rivera outside home after house fire

Crews responded to the house on Heydon Hall Circle just after 4 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. Neighbors told Channel 9 that the home belonged to Panthers' coach Ron Rivera.

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Channel 9 reporter Paige Hansen then spoke with Rivera on the scene. He said everyone inside the house got out OK and he was not sure how the blaze started.

Rivera only spoke to Channel 9 and said he heard the fire detectors going off inside the home and that he and his family – including relatives from out of town and the family dog – were able to get out safely.



PHOTOS: 2-alarm fire at Panthers' coach Ron Rivera's home

According to Rivera's sister-in-law, there were six people in the house: Rivera, his wife, his two brothers and their wives.

The fire department upgraded the response to a second alarm because they needed so many firefighters to help put out the flames at the large 3-story brick house. Roughly 55 firefighters responded to the home.



WATCH: Coach Ron Rivera outside home after 2-alarm fire

It took firefighters just over an hour to get the flames under control and the damage was mainly contained to the attic and roof.

"When you look at the house here you're dealing with smoke and water damage throughout the house," said CFD Capt. Rob Brisley. "However with our equipment and our overhaul or our salvage procedures, we are able to keep the damage to minimal meaning a lot of their possessions and their household items are saved."

Shortly after getting the fire under control, Rivera could be seen going back into the house with firefighters.

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES: 2-alarm fire at Ron Rivera's home

Family members are now staying with neighbors.

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Property records show Rivera purchased the 7,066 square foot home in April 2011, a few months after he became the Panthers' head coach.

The Panthers are coming off a huge win in the first round of the NFC playoffs, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 and setting up a second-round matchup with the Seattle Seahawks this upcoming weekend.

Channel 9 broke this story on Twitter and you can get continuous updates by following Paige Hansen.

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