British couple killed in Spanish wildfire sparks demand for answers

In mid‑July a wildfire swept through the village of Bédar in Almería, Spain, killing 13 people, including British residents Pete and Fran Gillam. Their daughter, Danielle Kirton, a 42‑year‑old assistant headteacher from Nottinghamshire, says the couple received no timely evacuation order. The fire alert sounded at 16:30, but the official evacuation directive was issued more than three hours later by a lone police officer, and Spain’s emergency alert system was not activated.

Kirton has appealed to UK Labour politician Ed Miliband to press the Spanish government for an explanation, rejecting claims that the victims ignored instructions. She notes that later wildfires in Spain and France caused no casualties because the alert system was used. The incident highlights concerns over emergency communication and response during the severe fire season affecting both Spain and France.