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Fallen New Tripoli Firefighters come home to Lehigh County

Lehigh County

Fallen firefighter Procession

This video was shot at the intersection of Route 100 and 309 in northwestern Lehigh County. The procession of two firefighters being returned to Lehigh County were killed in the line of duty (LODD) while battling a 3-alarm house fire at 1121 Clamtown Road in West Penn Township in Schuylkill County just south of Tamaqua.

Youtube Video of procession

New Tripoli Assistant Fire Chief, 36-year-old Zachary Paris, and Firefighter, 59-year-old Marvin Gruber were on the second floor of the house when something went tragically wrong. Mayday Mayday Mayday was announced by one of the firefighters and he stated he needed help and gave his location. That would be the last time he’s heard on the radio. The R.I.T. company was activated and the search and rescue of the two brothers were commenced.

They were rushed to a nearby trauma center where they were later pronounced.

NVP VIDEO: From the New Tripoli Fire Station 17

Christopher Kammerdiener, the nephew who neighbors say had recently moved in with his uncle, was found 200 feet from the rear of the house dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. News reports say the owner and uncle of Christopher arrived home to find the rear of the house on fire.

The fire is considered suspicious and is under investigation.

Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio assisted in procedural changes with bringing the two firefighters home to Lehigh County to be autopsied.