Hero dad died after rushing into burning $800,000 home to save his son, 10... only for investigators to discover that youngster was safely outside the whole time

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:24, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 20:25, 7 July 2026 A father died after rushing into his burning Maryland home to try and save his 10-year-old son, not realizing that the youngster had already escaped to safety. Christopher Gierhart, a 50-year-old Navy veteran, died in the blaze at his $800,000 home in Hollywood, Maryland, shortly before 10pm ET Sunday.  The blaze is believed to have been started by July 4 sparklers dumped in a trash can and led to Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department being called out to reports of a child trapped inside the sizeable two-story home on Thornbury Drive.  As flames ripped through the family home, Gierhart had rushed into the home in an attempt to find his son.  Tragically, he was overcome by the blaze and was found dead on the second floor of the ruined home, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal said.  Gierhart's son had already escaped the property, investigators said.  'What should have been a time of celebration became an unimaginable tragedy,' a GoFundMe to help 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.  '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.