AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — Amherst police announced that a fire on Catherine Street that caused around $400,000 in damage is under investigation.
Police said officers responded to the home at 200 Catherine Street just before midnight on Tuesday and, upon arrival, located a male resident who was trapped on the second floor. An officer grabbed a nearby ladder and used it to rescue the man who was trapped. The rescue was caught on the officer's body camera, but with the fire still under investigation, the department can't release the video right now.
However, I spoke with Amherst Police Captain Kari McFayden, who was able to share screenshots of the rescue.
"We couldn't be more proud of our officers," McFayden said. "This is the type of stuff that we all sign up for this job to do. It was actually Officer Balduf who was first on scene —he was able to extend onto that ladder and get that gentleman out safely. He only had minor injuries that he had to be transported for, but ultimately, he's alive and well today because of that officer's actions."
The man who was rescued, another resident who escaped, and one firefighter suffered minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals by Twin City Ambulance for further evaluation.
The police captain also told 7 News the rescue is a "testament to the training and resilience" of the officers at the Amherst Police Department.
The fire caused an estimated $350,000 in damage to the structure and an estimated $50,000 in damage to the contents.
