🚨 “A NIGHT OF JOY TURNED TO ASHES IN SECONDS” 💔🏰🎄 On what should have been a magical holiday sleepover, “Pop-Pop” Don and “Dee-Dee” Sandra Pyle treated their four beloved grandchildren to Medieval Times dinner, costumes, laughter, and the glow of a towering Christmas tree in their sprawling Annapolis mansion.

Hours later, in the dead of night on January 19, 2015, an electrical spark ignited the dry 15-foot tree… flames exploded through the 16,000-square-foot home… trapping everyone inside while they slept. 😢🔥

Six lives gone in an instant: loving grandparents and innocent kids aged 6 to 8 — Lexi, Katie, Charlotte, and Wes — who called them Pop-Pop and Dee-Dee. The family was still dreaming of knights and holiday magic when the fire stole everything.

Full details:

What began as a joyful holiday celebration ended in unimaginable tragedy on January 19, 2015, when a massive fire destroyed a waterfront mansion here, claiming the lives of technology executive Don Pyle, his wife Sandra, and their four young grandchildren.

The victims — Don Pyle, 56; Sandra Pyle, 63; and grandchildren Alexis “Lexi” Boone, 8; Kaitlyn “Katie” Boone, 7; Charlotte Boone, 8; and Wesley “Wes” Boone, 6 — perished in the early morning blaze at the couple’s 16,000-square-foot home on Childs Point Road. The children, who were spending a school holiday sleepover with their grandparents, were the sons and daughters of Sandra’s sons, Randy and Clint Boone.

Just hours before the fire, the family had enjoyed a special outing. Don and Sandra treated the grandchildren to dinner at Medieval Times, a themed restaurant featuring knights, jousting, and medieval entertainment. The children wore costumes, laughed, and soaked in the festive spirit. Back at the mansion, the home remained decorated for Christmas, including a towering 15-foot live tree in the great room that had been a centerpiece of holiday cheer.

Investigators later determined the fire started around 3:30 a.m. from an electrical failure near the base of the dry Christmas tree. The blaze spread rapidly, fueled by the parched needles and the home’s open layout. Fire officials described it as a fast-moving inferno that engulfed the structure before anyone could escape. All six victims died from smoke inhalation and heat exposure, according to the medical examiner.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ruled the incident accidental. ATF Special Agent Bill McMullan called it “a tragic accident that occurred at the worst possible time while the Pyles and their grandchildren were sleeping.” Fire Chief Allan Graves emphasized there was no evidence of foul play.

The tree’s role in the fire drew national attention. Experts noted that live Christmas trees, especially those left up for weeks after the holiday, can become extremely dry and highly flammable. The Pyle tree had been in the home since before Christmas, and the electrical spark — likely from faulty wiring or decorations — ignited it like kindling. The flames raced upward and across the great room, blocking escape routes.

Family members described Don and Sandra as devoted grandparents affectionately nicknamed “Pop-Pop” and “Dee-Dee.” Don, CEO of a northern Virginia tech company, was known for his generosity, long-term friendships, love of fishing, golf, skiing, and entertaining. Sandra shared a passion for Baltimore sports teams — the Ravens and Orioles — the beach, and travel. Both treated friends like family and doted on their grandchildren.

The children were students at Severn School in Severna Park. Lexi and Katie were sisters, while Charlotte and Wes were their cousins. Relatives remembered them as bright, energetic kids full of life. One family spokeswoman shared that the outing to Medieval Times was a highlight, with the grandchildren thrilled by the show and costumes.

The fire’s intensity reduced much of the mansion to rubble. Firefighters recovered bodies over several days, with the final victim found on January 26. Autopsies confirmed the cause of death for all six.

In the aftermath, surviving family members, including sister Sher Grogg (Don’s sister), spoke publicly about the loss. Grogg became an advocate for Christmas tree safety, urging families to remove decorations early, water trees regularly, and use flame-resistant options. She highlighted how quickly a festive symbol can turn deadly.

A memorial service in February 2015 drew hundreds, with tributes to the family’s love and community spirit. The Boone and Pyle families released statements remembering each member: Don’s kindness, Sandra’s warmth, and the children’s innocence.

The tragedy prompted discussions on fire safety in large homes. Officials noted that smoke detectors were present, but the speed of the blaze overwhelmed them. No working sprinklers were reported in the great room area. The incident underscored risks associated with live trees during the extended holiday season.

Years later, the story remains a cautionary tale. In interviews, Eve Boone (mother of Charlotte and Wes) described the unbearable grief of losing two children in one night. Other relatives focused on prevention, sharing the family’s experience to warn others.

The Pyle mansion fire stands as one of Maryland’s most heartbreaking domestic tragedies, a reminder that holiday joy can vanish in moments. The loss of two generations in a single blaze left an indelible mark on the community and beyond.