New York Smoker, 95, Dies after Clothes Catch Fire

LISLE, N.Y. (AP) -- A 95-year-old woman died in her trailer home in the Southern Tier after a cigarette ignited her clothes.

A home health aide who cared for Florence Campbell tried to rescue her, but fire and smoke stopped her. The aide was called by emergency dispatchers shortly after 8 p-m Wednesday to check on Campbell, who activated an emergency medical alert button.

Firefighters found Campbell on the kitchen floor, about six feet from the charred frame of a living room chair, where investigators believe she was sitting and smoking when her clothes caught fire.

Firefighter Kevin McLean, who lives nearby, contained the fire with an extinguisher before emergency crews arrived.

Lisle is 48 miles south of Syracuse.