Smithtown FD-House fire on New York Avenue

February 15, 1976 Martin Kelly 76, fell asleep in a chair while smoking, resulting in the ignition of his clothing. Mr. Kelly, a diabetic with one leg amputated at the knee, woke up to his clothes on fire. He managed to disrobe, but fell on the floor and could not get up. The house, located on NY Avenue, filled with smoke and he managed to crawl to the front door and scream for help. A neighbor Anthony Mallett of 186 New York Avenue, kicked in the rear door (as Kelly was leaning against the front door and could not move. Smithtown Fire Department responded and transported him to Smithtown General Hospital. He was then transferred to the burn unit at Nassau County Medical Center with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 40 percent of his body.