A British family from Sheffield has expressed their profound grief following the confirmation of their parents' deaths in devastating wildfires that swept through southern Spain. Pete and Fran Gillam, who resided in the village of Bédar, bore the brunt of the blazes that erupted last Thursday.
Their daughter, Danielle Gillam-Kirton, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, stating, "We have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire." The family had been desperately searching for the couple since Thursday evening, when Fran Gillam sent a text message indicating they were evacuating. Subsequent attempts to contact either parent proved unsuccessful.
In her emotional post, Ms Gillam-Kirton requested privacy as the family attempts to process the "devastating news." She also extended gratitude for the "love, support, and prayers over the past few days," acknowledging their immense comfort during this difficult time. Tributes have also poured in on the Bédar Village People community page, with many expressing shock and sadness at the loss of the "lovely couple."
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed it is providing support to British nationals affected by the tragedy and their families, maintaining close contact with Spanish authorities. The wildfire in Spain's Almeria province is now understood to have claimed at least 13 lives, making it one of the country's deadliest. Among the deceased, Spanish authorities believe at least five were British nationals, a figure that tragically rose on Sunday with the death of a 93-year-old woman in hospital.
The fire, which has since been contained, ravaged approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land. Spain has experienced increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, contributing to the heightened risk of such devastating blazes.