ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD (July 6, 2026) — Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating a fatal house fire Sunday night in Hollywood that claimed the life of a father who re-entered his burning home in an attempt to locate his 10-year-old child

At around 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026, firefighters from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and several surrounding departments responded to the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive for a reported house fire with a child believed to be trapped inside.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a two-story single-family home with heavy fire throughout. Initial reports indicated the child's father had re-entered the residence in an attempt to locate the child. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters located the father deceased on the second floor of the home.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal was requested to investigate the incident. The child was later confirmed to have safely escaped the home.

Although the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will make the official identification, investigators have confirmed the deceased was the child's father and homeowner. The victim was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the cause and manner of death will be determined.

While the fire remains under investigation, preliminary information indicates the family had been using ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier in the evening. After the fireworks display concluded, the spent fireworks were discarded into a trash can on the home's screened-in rear deck. Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating whether the discarded fireworks retained enough heat to ignite combustible materials inside the trash can, resulting in the fire.

"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 Office of the State Fire Marshal was assisted on the scene by members of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal reminds Marylanders that fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices can retain enough heat to ignite combustible materials long after they appear to be extinguished. Spent fireworks should always be thoroughly soaked in water, then placed in a metal or other noncombustible container outdoors to cool completely before disposing.