Police: Commack house fire injures man, kills dog

A 78-year-old was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and minor burns sustained in a fire at his home on Pebble Place in Commack on Wednesday morning, Suffolk County police said.

Police did not release the identity of the man, who was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he is in stable condition. Police said a dog died in the blaze.

Firefighters from six departments battled the fire, which was reported in a 911 call at 8:10 a.m.

One ambulance company also responded.

Police said Arson Section detectives are investigating the cause of the fire and that the cause remains undetermined, but appears to be noncriminal.

Additional information was not immediately available.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”