NEW YORK - A Bronx man, enraged after a fight with his wife, set their bedroom ablaze with a makeshift torch - and then confessed to the arson after firefighters rescued him from the burning third-story apartment, authorities said Saturday.

Abraham Serrano, 52, was arrested by fire marshals shortly after firefighters used a ladder to ferry him and his wife to safety from their home on Bruckner Boulevard in the Soundview section, the Fire Department said. Serrano was charged with second-degree arson and reckless endangerment. According to fire officials, Serrano was arguing with his wife Friday night when he grabbed a piece of paper and set it ablaze. Using it as a torch, he began igniting anything combustible in the room.

-- including clothing and bedsheets.

Firefighters arrived and rescued the couple from the flames. Once safely on the ground, Serrano admitted setting the blaze to medical and rescue workers, fire officials said.

The couple was taken to Jacobi Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation. Authorities were unsure what set off the argument.