Man Dies in St. Mary’s County Fire While Searching for Child

Deputy state fire marshals are currently investigating a tragic house fire that occurred in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, on Sunday night, resulting in the death of a man who attempted to save his child.

Firefighters from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, along with several neighboring departments, responded to the emergency call around 9:40 p.m. regarding a fire at a residence on Thornbury Drive in Hollywood. Reports indicated that a child was trapped inside the home.

Upon arrival, crews found the two-story house fully engulfed in flames. It is believed that the man reentered the burning structure in a desperate attempt to rescue his 10-year-old child. After successfully extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered the man deceased on the second floor.

Fortunately, the child had managed to escape the fire unharmed. The deceased individual has been confirmed as the child's father and the homeowner. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an official identification and determine the cause of death, with further details to be released after notifying next of kin.

Initial investigations suggest that the fire may have been sparked by the improper disposal of fireworks. Authorities believe that the family had used ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier in the evening, which were later discarded into a trash can located on a screened-in rear deck. Investigators are examining whether the remnants of the fireworks ignited combustible materials within the trash.

Fire officials emphasize that even seemingly extinguished fireworks can retain heat for extended periods, posing a significant fire hazard. They advise that used fireworks should be soaked in water and placed in a noncombustible container outdoors to ensure they cool completely before disposal.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).