A father has been sentenced after pleading guilty to starting a house fire last January that caused the death of his son.

Joseph Conti, 54, of Buffalo was sentenced on Thursday to five years probation.

The Erie County District Attorney's Office says Conti lit a cigarette with a blowtorch then placed the torch on a mattress, starting the fatal fire at his Lovejoy neighborhood home.

His 7-year-old son, Anthony Conti, died in the blaze.