The Northwestern Lehigh community, fellow firefighters and EMS crews from across three counties and beyond welcomed home fallen New Tripoli volunteer firefighters Marvin Gruber, 59, and First Assistant Chief Zachary Paris, 36, with a procession of fire trucks and ambulances.

The Pennsylvania State Police led the procession Thursday.

A LifeFlight helicopter flew overhead as the procession traveled along Route 309, New Tripoli.

The solemn line of vehicles, aglow with flashing lights, proceeded from New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, down Routes 109, 309 and 100, along Tilghman Street, to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensics Center, South Whitehall.

Gruber and Paris died in a West Penn Township fire that broke out around 4 p.m. Wednesday in a house at 1121 Clamtown Road.

The investigation into the cause is being handled by the State Police Fire Marshal Janssen Herb, of Troop L, Reading; the ATF; West Penn Township Police; and Pennsylvania State Police.

Pennsylvania State Trooper First Class Nathan Branosky, Troop M, Bethlehem, led an 11 a.m. news conference at the New Tripoli Fire Company Thursday.

Don Smith of the Lehigh County Communications Center said Paris, who has served with the New Tripoli Fire Company since 2010, is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents and a sister.

Gruber, who has been a firefighter with New Tripoli since 2020, has worked for 22 years at Northampton Community College in the Public Safety Department as the assistant chief of public safety.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” Smith said. “These fire company members made the ultimate sacrifice.

“They are truly heroes.”

Branosky then spoke to those gathered outside the fire company.

“The Pennsylvania State Police’s thoughts and prayers are with the New Tripoli community.”