Becky Metrick
pennlive.com
(TNS)
A massive house fire in Schuylkill County left two firefighters dead after being trapped in the building, and officials now say a third body has been found.
SkookNews reports that fire crews were called to the 1100 block of Clamtown Road, Route 443, in West Penn Township around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, for a single-home fire with possible entrapment.
An hour into the fire, two mayday calls went out from firefighters that had been trapped on the second floor, the outlet reported.
Although the firefighters were rescued after 30 minutes, the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office told SkookNews that both later died at a hospital.
Both firefighters were from Lehigh County, WFMZ reports.
Citizen’s Fire Company shared their condolences with New Tripoli Fire Company for the loss of their members.
WBRE reports that the coroner’s office was called to the home, and SkookNews reported that it was because a third body had been found near the scene.
The Morning Call reports that the person was a resident who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The fire, which WBRE reports was upgraded to a 3rd alarm through the duration of the firefight, produced smoke that could be seen for miles.
Firehouses around the region posted their condolences to the firefighters who lost their lives on Wednesday night.
