Columbus is mourning the loss of a member of one of its most well-known local business families.
Matt Schmidt, 43, of Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, died early Sunday morning after a house fire at his home in Upper Arlington. Fire crews were called to the home on Chevington Road around 4:30 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames. Schmidt was located inside the home. His wife and three daughters were able to escape safely.
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus confirmed his passing in a statement, sharing that Schmidt was a fifth-generation member of the family business and its brand ambassador.
“There are no words to describe the tragic loss of Matt Schmidt,” the statement read. “Matt was above all a devoted and loving husband to his wife and a father to his three young daughters. His magnetic personality, kindness and service to all he met, both personally and professionally, made him the face of Schmidt’s.”
Founded in 1886, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus has been a fixture in German Village for generations.
Schmidt played an active role in the business, working across multiple areas including marketing, catering, food trucks, and event operations. He also served as a key public-facing representative for the brand in recent years.
According to fire officials, the blaze is believed to have started in a rear room of the home where Schmidt was sleeping. The fire has been preliminarily ruled accidental, though the investigation is ongoing.
Schmidt is survived by his wife, three daughters, and their family dog. In addition to the emotional toll of the loss, the family is also facing the displacement caused by the fire.
A GoFundMe has been created to support them as they navigate the days ahead.
The fundraiser states that contributions will go toward housing, care, and stability for the family.
In a message shared alongside the fundraiser, organizers wrote, “Any contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping provide stability, housing, and care for the girls as they begin to navigate this loss.”
Those who wish to support the family can donate or share the fundraiser.
