MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Kevin Harvick and his family have been displaced for months since a late November fire caused damage to the family's North Carolina home.
But it could have been much, much worse. Smoke detectors and a prompt response from the Oak Ridge Fire Department saved Harvick's house, and the driver showed his appreciation Sunday by hosting five of the firefighters at Martinsville Speedway.
Chief Steve Simmons said the firefighters hoped to use the occasion as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of smoke detectors.
"If it had not been for that alarm system, it could have very easily have been a total loss, and there could have been a loss of life, also," Simmons told USA TODAY Sports before the race. "The fire was on the lower level of the house, and Kevin and (wife) DeLana and the whole family were up on the upper levels. By the time the fire had escalated, their way out could have been compromised."
The Harvicks had already gone to bed when, in the early morning hours of Nov. 27, they were awoken by the sound of smoke alarms. A call from their alarm monitoring service confirmed there was a problem, though the Harvicks thought it might have been a false alarm.
But when they checked the basement, it was filled with smoke. Firefighters soon arrived and determined there was a fire between the basement ceiling and the floor of the first level fireplace.
"I've seen that on several occasions," Simmons said. "Lots of times in a void space with duct work, it could easily happen. It escalates everything because it's hidden and you're not going to see it until it gets big enough to burn a hole and reveal itself. By then, you have a pretty considerable fire."
Fortunately, Simmons and his crew were able to prevent the fire from being worse. The Harvicks are living with DeLana's mother in nearby Kernersville while repairs are made to their primary residence.
The driver has made no secret of his gratitude. In addition to hosting firefighters at the track, Harvick brought son Keelan by the fire station for a tour this week.
"If it weren't for these guys, I wouldn't have a house," Harvick said in a team statement. "… Chief Simmons and his guys knew exactly what to do and were able to contain a small mess that could have been a very big mess. We're very fortunate."
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