British survivor Malcolm Timbrell recounts deadly Bedar wildfire in Spain

A wildfire swept through the village of Bedar in Almería province, southern Spain, on Thursday night, killing at least 13 people. Victims included a 93‑year‑old British woman, three other British nationals, and tourists from France, Belgium and Spain.

Seventy‑year‑old British pensioner Malcolm Timbrell survived by taking refuge in an abandoned car with one of his cats after returning to retrieve his pets. He was separated from his 69‑year‑old wife, Annette Kilgore, and a group of friends and neighbours who, despite his warnings, attempted to walk ahead of a rapidly advancing fire‑wall reported to be moving at over 20 km/h. Their fate remains unknown and they are presumed dead.

Spanish emergency services recovered bodies from the burned area and are conducting DNA tests to identify the victims. The UK Foreign Office expressed condolences and said it is supporting British nationals affected by the disaster.