Firefighters were busy battling flames at the home of Carolina Panthers' head coach Ron Rivera in Charlotte early Monday morning.
IMAGES: Panthers' Coach Ron Rivera outside home after house fire
Crews responded to the house just after 4 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. Neighbors told Charlotte TV station WSOC that the home belonged to Panthers' coach Ron Rivera.
WSOC also interviewed Rivera on the scene. He said everyone inside the house got out OK and he was not sure how the blaze started.
Rivera 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.
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. WSOC reported about 55 firefighters and emergency responders were on the scene.
It took firefighters just over an hour to get the flames under control and the damage was mainly contained to the attic and roof.
Shortly after getting the fire under control, Rivera could be seen going back into the house with firefighters.
Family members are now staying with neighbors.
Investigators were still determining how the fire started but said it looked to be accidental.
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.
