Cops: Man burned in fire started by cigarette

A Southold man suffered serious burns after he fell asleep in his home while smoking a cigarette, police said.

Kenneth Denston, 86, of Peconic Bay Boulevard in the hamlet of Laurel, was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital at about 3:15 a.m. this morning, police said. Police described his condition as "serious."

Denston's wife, Nora, awoke to the sound of Denston screaming with his clothes on fire and threw water on him, police said. Nora Denston called authorities to report a fire at her home, police said.

Emergency workers removed Kenneth Denston from his home and transported him to a nearby fairgrounds where he was airlifted to the hospital, police said.

The Denston home had minor damage, police said. Nora Denston and a firefighter were transferred to Eastern Long Island Hospital, police said. Southold police could not provide conditions for Nora Denston or the firefighter.