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Upper Arlington Today
By the People, for the People
Schmidt's Sausage Haus Family Member Dies in Easter Fire
Matt Schmidt, a fifth-generation brand ambassador, perished in the blaze that also displaced his wife and three daughters.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 5:21am
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The tragic loss of a beloved member of the Schmidt's Sausage Haus family has left the community mourning the end of an era.Upper Arlington TodayA member of the family behind the popular Schmidt's Sausage Haus in Columbus, Ohio tragically died in a house fire on Easter morning. Matt Schmidt, a fifth-generation family member and brand ambassador for the restaurant, was killed when a fire broke out in the four-season room of his Upper Arlington home. His wife and three daughters were able to escape safely, but Schmidt perished in the blaze.
Why it matters
The Schmidt family has operated the iconic German restaurant in Columbus for generations, and Matt Schmidt was considered the face of the brand, known for his kindness, hospitality, and service to the community. His sudden passing has left the family and the city in mourning, highlighting the human toll of such a tragic accident.
The details
The fire started around 4:30 a.m. in the four-season room at the back of Schmidt's home in Upper Arlington. Firefighters found Matt Schmidt on the first floor and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire is being investigated as an accidental. Matt's wife and three daughters were able to escape the home safely.
- The fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. on Easter morning.
- Matt Schmidt was found on the first floor of the home and pronounced dead at the scene.
The players
Matt Schmidt
A fifth-generation member of the Schmidt family and the brand ambassador for Schmidt's Sausage Haus, a popular German restaurant in Columbus, Ohio.
Carla Epler
The chief operating officer for Schmidt's Sausage Haus, who had worked for the family for 39 years and watched Matt Schmidt grow up.
Schmidt's Sausage Haus
A long-running German restaurant in Columbus, Ohio that has been operated by the Schmidt family for generations.
What they’re saying
“He was passionate about Schmidt's, being a Schmidt. He was so proud of his family and all that Schmidt's means to the community. He was the best girl dad you could ever imagine.”
— Carla Epler, Chief Operating Officer, Schmidt's Sausage Haus
“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.”
— Schmidt's Sausage Haus
What’s next
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Matt Schmidt's family, which has already raised over $160,000 as of Monday evening.
The takeaway
The tragic loss of Matt Schmidt, a beloved member of the Schmidt's Sausage Haus family, has left the community devastated. His warm personality, dedication to the family business, and commitment to service made him an integral part of the Schmidt's legacy, underscoring the human impact of this accidental fire.
