Monday, December 12, 2022

POLICE: Resident Found at Scene of Fatal Fire in Schuylkill County Died of Self-Inflicted Gunshot


West Penn Township Police continue to release more information on Wednesday's fatal fire incident.

According to Police, during Wednesday's fire at 1121 Clamtown Road in West Penn Township, the body of Christopher Kammerdiener, a resident of the address, was found in the rear of the property.

Police said Monday, that after an autopsy done by Schuylkill County David Moylan on Saturday, it confirmed that Kammerdiener died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

During the fire, Firefighters Marvin Gruber, 59, and Assistant Chief Zachary Paris, 36, both of New Tripoli and members of the New Tripoli Fire Company were injured and later died at St. Luke's Hospital in Coaldale.

West Penn Township Police say there are currently conducting interviews and are working closely with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall and ATF Fire Marshall and the investigation is ongoing. 

This incident remains an active investigation. All evidence has been collected and will be processed in the upcoming weeks.