Early-morning fire guts Malahide home

An early-morning fire destroyed the home of Dave and Kerry DaCosta at 50453 Wilson Line in Malahide on Thursdsay, Feb. 18, but they escaped with their lives and their seven pets unharmed. Ms. DaCosta, a light sleeper, was awakened by popping noises from their attic just after 3 a.m.

After waking Mr. DaCosts and realizing their home was on fire, despite almost no smoke in the ground floor, they got themselves and their four birds and three dogs out of the house and telephoned the fire department.

Firefighters fought the stubborn blaze for three hours before finally bringing it under control, but the interior of the home was gutted by flames.