Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating a fatal house fire in St. Mary’s County, MD that claimed the life of a father who re-entered his burning home in an attempt to rescue his 10-year-old child.
Firefighters from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding agencies responded around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, July 5, to the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive in Hollywood, MD, for a reported house fire with a child believed to be trapped inside. Upon arrival, crews found a two-story single-family home heavily involved in fire. Officials said the child’s father had re-entered the home in an effort to locate the child and was later found deceased on the second floor after the fire was extinguished. The child was later confirmed to have escaped safely.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating whether discarded sparkler fireworks used earlier in the evening may have ignited materials in a trash can on the home’s screened-in rear deck. The victim’s identity will be officially released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which will also determine the cause and manner of death. Fire officials are reminding residents that used fireworks and sparklers can remain hot long after they appear extinguished and should always be thoroughly soaked before disposal.
