WEST PENN TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — New details emerge Thursday night about a fire that led to the deaths of two firefighters in Schuylkill County. And the man whose body was found in the woods near the property.
The intense fire occurred on Clamtown Road you can see the destruction caused by the inferno.
The investigation into the cause is being handled by the State Police Fire Marshall, the ATF, and West Penn Township police. Eyewitness News saw investigators searching the property Thursday.
The fire erupted just before 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters say the home was engulfed in flames and smoke.
Two firefighters from the New Tripoli Fire Department became trapped in the house.
They were rescued but later died at the hospital. They’ve been identified as Assistant Fire Chief 36-year-old Zachary Paris and 59-year-old fireman Marvin Gruber.
Eyewitness news was also told that two West Penn Township Firefighters were injured fighting the fire. One was flown to the hospital and remains in intensive care.
Investigators have also identified the person who was found deceased in a wooded area at the rear of the property.
He was Christopher Kammerdiener. The West Penn Township Police Chief James Bonner says he is a relative of the family that owns the property and lived at the home.
The community is in mourning for the two firefighters.
“Their families deserve a thorough investigation. Our hearts go out to the families,” said Chief Bonner.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, fire departments from throughout the region held a procession from Schuylkill County to Lehigh Valley Hospital to escort the remains of the firefighters who died back to Lehigh County.