A Maryland father was killed after running back into his burning home to rescue his 10-year-old son, unaware the boy had already made it out safely.
Christopher Gierhart, a 50-year-old Navy veteran, died in the fire at his Hollywood, Maryland, home, valued at about $800,000, shortly before 10pm ET on Sunday.
Officials believe the fire began after Fourth of July sparklers were thrown into a trash can, prompting the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department to respond to reports that a child was trapped inside the large two-story house on Thornbury Drive.
With flames spreading through the family residence, Gierhart went back inside in a desperate effort to find his son.
He was tragically overcome by the fire and later discovered dead on the second floor of the heavily damaged home, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
Investigators said Gierhart’s son had already escaped from the property before his father reentered the house.
‘What should have been a time of celebration became an unimaginable tragedy,’ a GoFundMe page created to support Gierhart’s fiancée, Lauren Copenhaver, said.
‘Following a devastating fireworks-related house fire, Lauren lost her beloved fiancé, Chris, their home and nearly everything they owned. In an instant, her entire world was changed forever.’
Amanda Peterson, a close friend to Copenhaver, described Gierhart as a ‘wonderful man’ and ‘a devoted father.’
Christopher Gierhart, 50, was killed after he rushed to rescue his son from his Hollywood home as it went up in flames on Sunday at around 9.40pm
Gierhart rushed in to find his son before the heroic father was found dead on the building’s second floor. Gierhart’s son, however, was later found to have safely escaped the home
Amanda Peterson, a close friend to Gierhart’s fiancée Lauren Copenhaver, seen with Gierhart, described him as a ‘wonderful man’ and ‘a devoted father’
‘Lauren, her son Nicholas and Chris’s son lost not only someone they loved but also everything they owned in the fire,’ Peterson said.
‘After the fireworks display concluded, the spent fireworks were discarded into a trash can on the home’s screened-in rear deck,’ the office continued.
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‘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.’
Gierhart, who commanded the Electronic Attack Squadron 142 Gray Wolves, announced his engagement to Copenhaver in March of last year, as the pair were pictured showing off a diamond ring.
Peterson’s fundraiser aims to support Copenhaver during her ‘difficult journey’ to rebuild her home.
Taphouse 1637, an eatery in California, Maryland, announced that half of sales on Tuesday would go towards supporting Copenhaver after her ‘devastating loss.’
Other community members helped to organize a benefit to help support those Gierhart left behind ‘who are now facing the unimaginable.’
While an investigation into the devastating fire continues, the flames were believed to have sparked from ground-based sparkler fireworks from earlier in the evening
Community members have rallied to help support those that Gierhart left behind, including his son, his fiancée and her son Nicholas
Gierhart, who commanded the Electronic Attack Squadron 142 Gray Wolves, announced his engagement to Copenhaver in March, 2025, as the pair were seen showing off a diamond ring
‘To help support the family as they begin the long road to rebuilding, Fizzin’ Dirty Soda Co, LLC is hosting a community fundraiser with local vendors who have generously agreed to participate. Each participating business will be donating a portion of their sales, and additional monetary donations will also be accepted throughout the event,’ a local wrote on social media.
Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in a statement: ‘Our hearts are with this family as they face an unimaginable loss. 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 further warned of the dangerous of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices that can retain enough heat to spark a fire ‘long after they appear to be extinguished.’
‘Spent fireworks and sparklers should always be thoroughly soaked in water, then placed in a metal or other noncombustible container outdoors to cool completely before disposing,’ the warning added.
The Daily Mail reached out to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal and attempted to reach family of Giehart and Copenhaver for comment.
