WEST PENN TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Officials say three people are now dead in the aftermath of a Schuylkill County fire, two firefighters are among those deceased.
Around 4:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, dozens of fire companies were called to the scene of a fire in the 1100 block of Clamtown Road in West Penn Township.
When first responders arrived at the fire, they say they discovered one person already deceased behind the home. Their death is under investigation by the West Penn Township Police Department.
The Schuylkill County Communications Center tells Eyewitness News the fire was upgraded to a third-alarm fire with multiple special units called to the scene.
While attempting to extinguish the flames, first responders say two New Tripoli firefighters were trapped inside and a mayday call was activated.
Both firefighters were rescued from the fire but died as a result of their injuries, according to the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office. They have been identified as 36-year-old Assistant Fire Chief Zachary Paris and 59-year-old Marvin Gruber.
West Penn Township Police and a State Police Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.