Firefighters killed battling blaze in Schuylkill County ID'd
WEST PENN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Governor Tom Wolf ordered the state's flag to fly at half-staff at the Pennsylvania Capitol complex and all state facilities on Thursday in honor of two firefighters who died in the line of duty this week.
Among them, two were from the Lehigh Valley.
It's been a very solemn day in Lehigh County after two firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty Wednesday.
Thursday we learned from investigators the cause of that fire is suspicious.
Authorities combed for clues at this three-story home near Tamaqua, Schuylkill County on Thursday.
The scene looks gruesome one day after a fire tore through it, flames shooting into the sky and more than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze.
"The cause of the fire, at this time, is considered suspicious," West Penn Township Police Chief James Bonner said.
He stopped short of calling the fire arson, but the chief did say a man's body was found behind the property. The dead man has been identified as Christopher Kammerdiener. Police say the man is the homeowner's son. Officials wouldn't say how he died, only that he was not killed by the fire.
"He was found an hour after the initial call, maybe an hour and a half," Chief Bonner said.
Authorities also identified the two firefighters killed battling a blaze in Schuylkill County Wednesday afternoon. Authorities say the two firefighters from New Tripoli, Lehigh County were searching for someone trapped in the fire but both of them were killed in the flames.
They have now been identified as 36-year-old Assistant Fire Chief Zachary Paris and 59-year-old firefighter Marvin Gruber.
"The community fire company of New Tripoli is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of their two firefighters in the line of duty," Don Smith, Lehigh County 911 Communication Center Director, said.
Paris leaves behind his wife and two daughters. He has been with the fire company since 2010.
Gruber has been with the department since 2020.
Firefighter Gruber's son is a deputy fire chief with New Tripoli. His son tells CBS3 he is heartbroken and devastated over the loss of his father and that he was taken from his family too soon.
The funerals for both men are now being planned.
"These members made the ultimate sacrifice for their community and country. They are truly heroes," Smith said.
Now, flags are flying at half-staff here in Lehigh County in honor of them.
"Our thoughts go out to their families and loved ones," said. "Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers."
Thursday evening, a procession of fire trucks and other first responders carried the firefighters' bodies from the Schuylkill County coroner's office to the here at the Lehigh Valley coroner's office.
Pennsylvania fire companies have been sharing to tributes to the fallen firefighters on social media.
