A Maryland man, identified as Christopher Gierhart, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, died late Sunday after a house fire that officials believe may have been started by fireworks. Gierhart, 50, entered his burning home in Hollywood, Maryland, believing his 10-year-old son was still inside.
Officials stated that Gierhart re-entered the residence in an attempt to locate the child. Firefighters later found Gierhart deceased on the second floor of the home after extinguishing the blaze. It was subsequently confirmed that the child had safely escaped the residence.
While the investigation into the fire's origin is ongoing, preliminary information suggests that fireworks may have ignited the fire. According to the State Fire Marshal, the family had been using ground-based sparkler fireworks earlier in the evening. Spent fireworks were discarded into a trash can on the home's screened-in rear deck. Investigators are examining whether the discarded fireworks retained enough heat to ignite combustible materials within the trash can, leading to the fire.
Gierhart served 25 years in the Navy, where he commanded the Electronic Attack Squadron, known as the “Gray Wolves.” He is survived by his fiancée, Lauren Copenhaver, and his son. A friend described the incident as an "unimaginable tragedy," noting that Copenhaver lost her fiancé, their home, and most of their possessions in the fire. A fundraiser has been established to assist Copenhaver and Gierhart's son as they rebuild their lives.