By Jennifer Sheehan
The Morning Call
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, Pa. — The two firefighters who perished in the line of duty in Schuylkill County Wednesday night died of asphyxia and thermal injuries, the Lehigh County coroner has ruled.
Marvin Gruber, 59, and Zachary Paris, 36, members of the Community Fire Company in New Tripoli, were killed Wednesday evening fighting a house fire on Clamtown Road in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County.
Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio released his report Friday and said both men died of asphyxia and thermal injuries from the fire. Buglio said the manner of death for both men is “pending investigation” due to the ongoing fire and active scene investigation.
The bodies of both men were transported from New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, to the Lehigh County Joint Operations Center in South Whitehall Township in a large procession Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of firefighters and emergency responders lined the streets and saluted as they said goodbye to Gruber and Paris.
GoFundMes have been set up to help the families of the two men.
- New Tripoli Bank: https://gofund.me/5348ecbe
- Natasha Bleiler: https://gofund.me/a962f502
A Meal Train list has also been started for Paris’ wife, Liz. You can sign up to do a meal or purchase a GrubHub card for the family. https://mealtrain.com/mm5zq3
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