Three people died Wednesday afternoon – including a pair of firefighters – at the scene of a house fire in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County.
According to various media reports, 2 firefighters from New Tripoli Fire Dept. were killed responding to a house fire at 1121 Clamtown Rd., West Penn Twp.
Firefighters were responding to a fire with entrapment. Pennsylvania State Police Troop L Public Information Officer David Beohm says that while firefighters were at the scene looking for anyone trapped, “several maydays” were called to get everyone out of the burning home.
The firefighter victims have been identified as Marvin Gruber, 59, and Assistant Fire Chief Zachary Paris, 36.
Police say in addition to the firefighters who lost their lives in the house fire, another body was found at the same property, behind the house. Beohm says the cause of that person’s death is still an active investigation.
West Penn Township Police Chief James Bonner says 2 other people were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape the building.
More on this story as information is made public …
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