Father Perishes in Maryland House Fire After Re-entering Burning Home for Child

A devastating house fire in Hollywood, Maryland, on Sunday night resulted in the tragic death of a father who re-entered his burning home in a desperate attempt to rescue his 10-year-old child. According to a press release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. on July 5, 2026, in the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive. Firefighters arriving at the scene discovered a two-story single-family home engulfed in heavy flames.

First responders were alerted that the child’s father had gone back inside the burning structure in search of his child. After the fire was brought under control, the father was discovered deceased on the second floor of the residence. The child, thankfully, was later confirmed to have safely escaped the burning home. While the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will make the official identification, investigators have confirmed the deceased was the homeowner and the child’s father.

The investigation into the cause of the fire, led by Deputy State Fire Marshals, is ongoing. Preliminary findings suggest that the family had been using ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier that evening. After the fireworks display concluded, the spent fireworks were reportedly discarded into a trash can situated on the home’s screened-in rear deck. Investigators are examining whether the residual heat from the discarded fireworks was sufficient to ignite combustible materials within the trash can, ultimately sparking the fire that consumed the home.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is reminding Maryland residents about the persistent dangers associated with fireworks, even after the visible display has ended. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices can retain enough heat to ignite flammable materials for an extended period. To mitigate such risks, the office strongly advises that all spent fireworks, including sparklers, be thoroughly soaked in water. Following the soaking, they should be placed in a metal or other noncombustible container outdoors to cool completely before being disposed of. This safety precaution is crucial in preventing tragic incidents like the one that occurred in Hollywood.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance at the scene. The investigation remains active.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

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