Hollywood, MD, Dad Dies Trying to Find Son in House Fire; Fireworks Eyed
Baltimore Sun
(TNS)
A father died after reentering his burning home in the St. Mary’s County community of Hollywood on Sunday night to locate his 10-year-old child, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At around 9:40 p.m. Sunday, firefighters from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and several surrounding departments responded to a reported house fire in the 22800 block of Thornbury Drive, with a child believed to be trapped inside, according to officials.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a two-story family home ablaze. Initial reports indicated the 10-year-old’s father reentered the house to locate his child, according to authorities.
After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters located the father deceased on the house’s second floor, while the child was later confirmed to have escaped, according to officials.
The dad’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the cause and manner of death will be investigated, authorities said.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the fatal fire. Preliminary information indicates the family had been using ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier in the evening, according to officials. The pyrotechnics were later thrown out in a trash can on the house’s rear deck.
“Our hearts are with this family as they face an unimaginable loss,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray in a statement. “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 investigation remains ongoing.
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