In brief
Spain’s Almería province has been devastated by a series of wildfires that have already claimed 13 lives – a majority of foreign nationals, including seven Britons, three Belgians, one Frenchman, one American and one Spaniard. 1,500 residents were evacuated from the province as firefighters battled an inferno that consumed around 7,000 hectares of land. Among the deceased were the British couple Pete and Fran Gillam, who were feared lost in the blaze. Survivors, such as 70‑year‑old Malcolm Timbrell, shared harrowing accounts of how the flames ate through cars and consumed the lives of his wife and friends.
Almería Province, Spain – 13 people died when ferocious wildfires swept through rural Andalusia. Of those, twelve were foreign nationals and one was Spanish. Among the victims were seven Britons, three Belgians, a Frenchman, an American, and a Spaniard.
The Human Toll
The tragedy included the beloved couple Pete and Fran Gillam from Bédar. Their daughter, Danielle, posted on Facebook that: "Our mum and dad did not survive the fire." Other victims included three Belgian men, a French woman, a U.S. citizen, and a local Spanish resident. Eight of the 13 deceased were women and five were men, all adults.
Survivor’s Account
The 70‑year‑old Malcolm Timbrell of Bédar survived by taking shelter in an abandoned car that survived the blaze. He recounted that out of six abandoned cars, four exploded, and he only escaped in the last two, which were heavily charred but remained intact. He also mentioned keeping a cat with him inside the last vehicle.
Evacuation and Fire Spread
Approximately 1,500 people were evacuated from Almería province as the fire, spiralling across about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres), was eventually contained. The region’s recent heatwaves, with temperatures often above 40 °C, contributed to the rapid spread.
Looking Ahead
Official authorities are investigating the cause of the blazes while international aid agencies coordinate support for affected families. The British government’s Foreign Office has expressed ongoing support for affected nationals and their families.
