**Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra’s Coral Gables Home Destroyed in Massive Fire**
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) — Insurance adjusters were seen inspecting the charred remains of Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s multimillion-dollar home near Coral Gables, just a day after it was destroyed in a devastating fire.
7News cameras captured the adjusters heading inside the property on Friday morning. The home is located near Southwest 49th Avenue and 80th Street in the Ponce-Davis neighborhood. Outside the residence, a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser was parked as officials conducted their assessment.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence burst into flames early Thursday morning. Radio transmissions from first responders captured a firefighter reporting, “A single family home. We’ve got fire in the back.”
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Victoria Byrd addressed reporters after daybreak, describing the severity of the blaze. “We found fire that was as tall as the trees,” she said.
7News cameras also captured Coach Spoelstra watching helplessly as his home was consumed by flames. At the time, Spoelstra was flying back to South Florida with the team after their game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Dozens of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighters battled the blaze for hours. Battalion Chief Byrd highlighted the challenges they faced. “Due to the privacy wall and a lot of the tree cover, it was very difficult to access, with only one point of entry,” she explained.
Thanks to the crews’ efforts, the fire was contained and did not spread to nearby homes along Southwest 80th Street. “We used multiple aerial apparatuses, fire engines, and rescues to help combat this incident,” Byrd added.
7Skyforce aerial footage captured the aftermath, showing flames that had gutted most of the structure.
Spoelstra purchased the one-acre property in 2023 for $6.6 million. Neighbors told 7News that he had since renovated the house, which spans more than 5,700 square feet and includes amenities such as a pool, outdoor kitchen, and tennis courts.
Just two weeks ago, Spoelstra had invited his team over for a barbecue. The Miami Heat posted a video showing players using the grill and playing soccer on the property.
Now, the home has been reduced to soot and ash and has officially been declared a total loss.
Despite this personal tragedy, Spoelstra is expected to coach as the Heat host the Charlotte Hornets at the Kaseya Center Friday night.
*Copyright WSVN 7News.*
https://wsvn.com/sports/miami-heat/adjusters-inspect-remnants-of-heat-coach-erik-spoelstras-coral-gables-area-home-destroyed-in-fire-amid-probe/