SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - The New Tripoli firefighters who perished in a blaze in Schuylkill County died of asphyxia and thermal injuries, the coroner's office said.
A ruling on the manner of their deaths remains pending because of an ongoing investigation.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio released his findings Friday night.
Killed were Assistant Chief Zachary Paris, 36, and firefighter Marvin Gruber, 59. Both were volunteers with Community Fire Co. New Tripoli.
- The fire destroyed a home in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, on Wednesday
- The fallen firefighters belonged to Community Fire Co. New Tripoli in Lehigh County
- Authorities have labeled the blaze suspicious
The fire occurred late Wednesday afternoon at a house in the 1100 block of Clamtown Road in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County. Firefighters from New Tripoli were among an estimated 100 called to the scene from a four-county area.
Investigators labeled the fire "suspicious" and said an investigation is continuing.
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Another man was found dead outside the house. Officials have identified him as Christopher Kammerdiener, 35, who lived in the home.
The Republican-Herald of Pottsville reported he was found in a wooded area behind the house, dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Autopsies for the two volunteer firefighters were completed Friday.
Gruber was pronounced dead at 5:36 p.m. Wednesday at St. Luke's Hospital, Miner's Campus in Coaldale; Paris was pronounced dead at 5:43 p.m. at the same hospital, the coroner's office said.