Matt Schmidt, part of Schmidt’s Sausage Haus family, killed in fire

Matt Schmidt, part of Schmidt’s Sausage Haus family, killed in fire

Tragic news as Matt Schmidt dies in a devastating Upper Arlington fire. The community mourns the loss of a beloved figure.

• A man who died in an Easter morning house fire in Upper Arlington has been identified as Matt Schmidt, 43.
• Schmidt was part of the family that runs the well-known Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in German Village.
• His wife and three daughters were able to escape the fire safely.

The man who died in an Easter morning fire in Upper Arlington is part of a well-known central Ohio family with deep ties to the community.

Matt Schmidt, 43, died after being found around 4:30 a.m. April 5 on the first floor of his home on the 3800 block of Chevington Road. Schmidt’s wife and three daughters escaped the fire safely.

Schmidt is part of the fifth generation of Schmidt family members running Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, a German Village restaurant that is a tourist destination. Schmidt worked as brand ambassador for the company, frequently being featured on social media – particularly as the restaurant celebrates its 140th anniversary this year.

The restaurant confirmed Schmidt’s death in a statement.

“There are no words to describe the tragic loss of Matt Schmidt. Matt was first and foremost a devoted and loving husband to his wife and a father to his three young daughters,” the statement says. “Matt was also a fifth generation Schmidt family member and his magnetic personality, kindness and service to all he met – both personally and professionally – made him the face of Schmidt’s. He was the best of us and lived out our values of family, hospitality and service every day of his life. We thank everyone who has reached out for their care and concern during this devastating time for the Schmidt family.”

Schimdt and his wife, Becky, bought the home on the 3800 block of Chevington Road in 2019 and lived there with their three daughters. 

Schmidt has also been involved in the community, participating with the Upper Arlington Civic Association.

An online fundraiser organized on behalf of the family has received nearly $75,000 in donations in less than 24 hours.

Matt Schmidt returned to Columbus to join family business

Justin Holbrock, account manager at Irvin Public Relations, said Schmidt started working for the restaurant as a teen, working the counter at fairs and festivals. After college, he worked in sales at IT firm CDW in Chicago before moving back to Columbus with his wife, Holbrock said.

Schmidt became a manager at the restaurant, then was put in charge of banquet sales before becoming brand ambassador for the restaurant.

Holbrock said Irvin PR, which has long represented the restaurant, is “devastated” by Schmidt’s death.

“Such a great guy and a huge loss for our community,” Holbrock said.

Fatal fire started in sunroom

The fire at the Schmidt home was reported early in the morning on April 5.

In a news release, the city of Upper Arlington said the fire appeared to have originated in a four-season room, a style of sunroom that is climate controlled and usable year-round, where Schmidt was sleeping.

The Upper Arlington Fire Division was dispatched to the fire at about 4:30 a.m., and the first units to arrive at the home saw heavy fire and smoke coming from the single-story house, according to the release.

The Upper Arlington Fire division is investigating the cause of the fire with the help of the Columbus Division of Fire and the Washington Township Fire Department, according to the news release.

This story has been updated to add additional information and photos.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at [email protected].