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A cause for the fire in which Mike Breen’s $1.725million Long Island home was completely destroyed has now been revealed.
The lead NBA and New York Knicks play-by-play announcer ‘lost all of his belongings’ during a monumental fire at his family home in the early hours on September 25.
TMZ Sports reports that it was told by Nassau County Chief Fire Marshall Michael Uttaro that the fire began in the garage and was caused by ‘a careless disposal of staining material.’ More specifically, from items being improperly positioned within the area.
‘The house was under construction,’ Uttaro said, via TMZ Sports. ‘When all those materials are stored in a pile, they can combust causing a rapid fire.’
The Manhasset-Lakesville Fire Department shared on Instagram that its personnel ‘encountered a fully involved house fire’ after arriving on scene at approximately 4.03am in the early hours of the fateful morning in late September.
Breen, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year, and his family were not at the burning home, but have lost nearly all of their possessions.
The fire came less than a month before the announcer took to the sideline to provide commentary for ESPN’s first broadcast of the new season involving the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies.
The home, in a gated Manhasset community in New York, had three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, and sold for $1.725million in late 2020. The property also included indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a tennis court and a home gym.
Mike Breen’s family home, which he shared with his three children and wife, in Long Island has been destroyed by a huge fire
Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department responded to the fire after being notified by house alarms and neighbors in the area
Mike Breen, 61, has been the lead NBA play-by-play broadcaster at ABC/ESPN since 2006 and is also an official member of the Naismith Hall of Fame since last year
The $1.725million property – pictured in 2020 – included indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym and a tennis court
The September fire engulfed most of the Breen residence, as firefighters attempted to put out the blaze in the garage area
Firefighters were first alerted to the blaze by Breen’s neighbors and house alarms located inside the home went off. Officials didn’t not leave the property until 2.07 pm, as they stayed for almost 10 hours on site, according to USA Today.
‘Numerous hand lines, as well as two ladder pipes and a deck gun, were used to battle the fire. The @nassaufiremarshal Responded with their drone to assist in locating hotspots,’ Manhasset-Lakeville F.D. shared on social media.
Breen has been ABC’s lead play-by-play announcer for the NBA Finals since 2006 and was formerly a game commentator for the New York Giants’ preseason games. He has also been commenting on Knicks games for MSG Network since 1992.
The beloved commentator thanked many for their well-wishes in a broadcast of a Knicks preseason game, days after the incident.
While the fire spread through the Breen’s property, smoke and flames were seen rising up in an orange/red sky on Sunday
‘I didn’t want to take anything away from the game,’ Breen said. ‘I just want to give a heartfelt thanks to so many people who offered kindness and support this past week after the fire at my family’s home on Long Island. Just a reminder for me of how many wonderful people are in my life.’
He is well known to sports fan for shouting ‘BANG!’ after clutch plays during games, noticeably when Kobe Bryant hit the game winner for the LA Lakers against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs in 2006. He is also famous for being the play-by-play announcer for the San Antonio Spurs-Miami Heat 2013 NBA Finals and the Cleveland Cavaliers-Golden State Warriors 2016 NBA finals.
The 61-year-old worked out of his Long Island home during the COVID-19 pandemic, as protocols at the time did not allow announcers to be at stadiums, according to Bleacher Report.
Breen has since embarked on his 30th season as an NBA broadcaster since being hired 16 years ago to replace Al McDaniels for ESPN/ABC. He is joined on the national broadcasts by Mark Jackson, Doris Burke, Jeff Van Gundy, among others.
The fire caused the Breen family to lose nearly all of their possessions ahead of the start of the new NBA season
No members of the Breen family were hurt in the massive blaze, nor were they or anyone else at the house during the fire
Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department used ladders and powerful water hoses to gain access to several parts of the home
