Briton Survives Spain Wildfire as Wife Perishes

Briton tells of surviving Spain wildfire – Malcolm Timbrell, a 70-year-old British man, has recounted his narrow escape from a devastating blaze in Spain that killed his wife and several companions. The tragedy struck last Thursday evening in the village of Bédar, located in the Almeria province of southern Spain. According to local reports, thirteen people lost their lives in the inferno, with Malcolm being the sole survivor from his group.

The couple had been living in the area for many years after relocating from Britain. They had previously appeared on Channel 4’s television programme A Place in the Sun, which helped them settle into their new home. Malcolm and Annette Kilgore, aged 69, had been partners for seventeen years before the disaster. Both had experienced personal loss in their past, having each lost previous partners.

The Night of the Fire

As flames approached their hillside property, the group faced an urgent decision. Malcolm initially attempted to flee by car but returned to retrieve their two cats, Charlie and Lilly. Meanwhile, his wife and seven other friends and neighbours chose to escape on foot. The wall of fire was advancing at speeds exceeding twenty kilometres per hour, creating terrifying conditions for everyone involved.

“My wife and our other seven friends and neighbours decided the only safe way was to walk,” Malcolm explained to reporters. “We had to make a quick decision to flee.”

Of the six vehicles attempting to escape, four were instantly engulfed in flames. Two cars managed to survive, though they were badly singed. Malcolm found himself in the last remaining vehicle, accompanied by one of their cats. He later discovered that his wife and eight others had perished on a path descending from their house. Local authorities also recovered four additional victims from a right-hand drive vehicle, with one being a 93-year-old British woman who died in hospital on Sunday.

Rescue efforts were hampered by challenging conditions. Dark skies prevented seaplanes from operating, while thick smoke grounded helicopters. Malcolm and Annette had moved to Spain after a life of sailing, seeking a peaceful retirement. They are now awaiting DNA confirmation to identify all the victims properly.