Seven British Nationals Confirmed Among Victims of Spain Wildfires
A total of 13 people died in wildfires in Almería province, including seven British citizens, three Belgians, and others. A British couple and a survivor's story highlight the tragedy.
Victims Identified
Spanish officials have confirmed that 13 people died in the wildfires in Almería province. Seven victims were from the United Kingdom, three from Belgium, one from France, one from the United States, and one was a Spanish citizen. The victims comprised eight women and five men, all adults.
British Couple Among the Dead
Among the British nationals who died were Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in the village of Bédar, which bore the brunt of the fires. Their daughter Danielle Gillam-Kirton from Sheffield confirmed their deaths on Facebook, saying the family was “heartbroken” to share that her parents did not survive.
Survivor’s Account
Nearly 1,500 people were evacuated from the area as firefighters battled the flames. British man Malcolm Timbrell, 70, who lives in Bédar, survived the fires and spoke to the BBC outside his destroyed home. He described being separated from his group and taking refuge in abandoned cars. Four of the six cars instantly combusted; Timbrell moved back to the last two, which, though severely singed, survived. He and a cat survived inside the last car.
Fire Contained
Authorities reported that the fire has been contained after burning approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land. Spain has experienced frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C.
