2 Firefighters Killed In PA House Fire: Police

WEST PENN TOWNSHIP, PA — Two firefighters were killed in a house fire in Schuylkill County on Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police confirmed. A third person was also found dead outside the home, according to police.

Assistant Chief Zachary Paris, 36, and firefighter Marvin Gruber, 59, from the New Tripoli Community Fire Company died while responding to a fire in West Penn Township, state police said in a news conference streamed by WESN.

The fire broke out at a home in the 1100 block of Clamtown Road around 3:45 p.m., WGAL-TV reported.

"The Community Fire Company of New Tripoli is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of their two fire members in the line of duty. These members made the ultimate sacrifice to their community and country. They are truly heroes," Don Smith Jr, director of the Lehigh County 911 center, said in a statement to WGAL.

Police said Paris and Gruber were searching the home when they became trapped. A dispatch obtained by LehighValleyNews.com said a mayday call said the two firefighters were trapped. Nearly 40 minutes elapsed before authorities reported the firefighters had been pulled from the house.

Both were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital where they died from their injuries, LehighValleyLive.com reported.

The body of a third person was located outside the home, police said. The third person was not identified.

Two other firefighters were also treated for injuries, West Penn Township Police Chief James Bonner said. Two people who lived in the home were able to escape.

The fire remains under investigation.