Officials said the 10-year-old child he tried to find had already escaped safely.
HOLLYWOOD, Md. — A St. Mary’s County father died Sunday night after re-entering his burning home to search for his 10-year-old child, who later was confirmed to have escaped safely, Maryland fire officials said.
The fire was reported about 9:40 p.m. in the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive in Hollywood. Firefighters from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and nearby departments arrived to find heavy fire throughout a two-story single-family home.
Officials said the family had gotten out of the house, but the father could not find the child once outside. He went back into the home as crews responded to the report of a child possibly trapped inside. After firefighters put out the flames, they found the father dead on the second floor.
“The child was later confirmed to have safely escaped the home,” the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal said. Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said, “Our hearts are with this family as they face an unimaginable loss.”
Investigators said preliminary information shows the family had used ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier Sunday evening. The spent fireworks were thrown into a trash can on a screened-in rear deck. Deputy state fire marshals are investigating whether heat from the discarded fireworks ignited materials in the trash can.
The father, identified by investigators as the homeowner, was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Officials said the medical examiner will make the official identification and determine the cause and manner of death.
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. The fire marshal’s office said the investigation remains open as deputies work to confirm where and how the fire began.
Author note: Last updated July 6, 2026.