Father Dies Trying to Save Child in Maryland House Fire
State of MD - A father is dead after running back into a burning home Sunday night to find his 10-year-old child. The fire happened in Hollywood, Maryland, and is now under investigation by Deputy State Fire Marshals.
Firefighters got the call around 9:40 p.m. on July 5, 2026. Crews from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and several nearby departments rushed to the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive with reports of a child possibly being trapped inside a burning house.
When firefighters arrived, they found a two-story home with heavy fire throughout. Word at the scene was that the child's father had gone back inside to search for his 10-year old child. Once the fire was out, crews found the father deceased on the second floor.
Later investigation determined that the child did in fact make it safely out of the home.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate. Investigators have confirmed the man who died was the child's father and the homeowner. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will make the official identification and release the official cause of death.
Investigators believe the cause of the fire traces back to fireworks. The family had been setting off ground-based sparklers earlier that evening, and afterward, the spent fireworks were thrown into a trash can on the home's screened-in back deck.
Fire officials say those fireworks may have still been hot enough to ignite other materials in the trash can. That's where investigators believe the fire may have started.
"Our hearts are with this family as they face an unimaginable loss," said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray. "As we continue our investigation, we want everyone to remember that fireworks don't stop posing a risk when the show is over. Taking a few extra minutes to soak and properly dispose of used fireworks and sparklers can help prevent a tragedy like this."
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene. The investigation is still ongoing.
Fire officials want to remind everyone that fireworks can stay hot long after they seem to be out. Always soak spent fireworks in water, then place them in a metal or other noncombustible container outside until they've fully cooled.
