EAST AMHERST FIRE DEPARTMENT

One of the saddest days in the history of the East Amherst Fire Department occurred on Saturday, November 3rd, 1984 when two firefighters, Mitchell E. Spoth and Frank P. Raquet were seriously injured while fighting a fire at the Western New York Carpet Factory Outlet, located at 5599 Transit Road.The two firefighters were manning a hoseline at the front of the building, when the roof suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed, and the front facade overhang fell outward sweeping the two men into the rubble. Both firefighters, who were buried under piles of concrete blocks and heavy roofing, were pulled from the debris by their fellow firefighters and rushed to area hospitals, both suffering from numerous, serious, life threatening injuries. Firefighter Raquet suffering from a broken back and paralysis, spent ninety-six (96) days in the hospital, and survived the ordeal.Clifford Zane, the son of the owner of Carpet Factory Outlet, was convicted of Arson and Manslaughter in the case and was sentenced to an 8 1/3 to 25 year prison term by Judge Theodore Kasler.Firefighter Spoth fought for his life for sixty-nine (69) days, but succumbed to the injuries on January 11, 1985.