In brief
A 70‑year‑old Briton survived the deadly Chile–Spanish wildfire that claimed 13 lives, including his wife and seven friends. He fled by car but returned to retrieve their cats, narrowly escaping with a vehicle that survived the blaze. Bédar in Almeria was consumed by high winds, and authorities have yet to identify all victims, including a 93‑year‑old woman. The survivor, Malcolm Timbrell, mourns the loss and seeks closure in the aftermath.
Malcolm Timbrell, 70, survived a devastating wildfire in the Spanish village of Bédar that claimed 13 lives, including his wife Annette and twelve neighbors. He fled from the burning homes by car, but he returned to retrieve their beloved cats, Charlie and Lilly.
The flames, fueled by dry brush and strong winds, struck Bédar at night, leaving the house and surrounding villages scorched. Timbrell was the only one to successfully escape before the fire moved at an estimated 20 kilometres per hour.
While attempting to consolidate remaining vehicles on the road, the other cars caught fire. He was the only one who managed to secure himself in a vehicle that survived the blast, albeit badly singed.
After the fire receded, emergency workers rescued Timbrell. Eight bodies were subsequently recovered from the area, with four more suspected victims linked to a right‑hand drive vehicle believed to belong to British nationals.
Official accounts note that Spanish authorities have identified three British nationals among the casualties, along with victims from France, Belgium, and Spain. A 93‑year‑old woman was reported deceased in a hospital following the blaze.
Despite support from local police and the broader community, Timbrell fears what the pending DNA identifications will reveal as his loss weighs heavily on him. "We are just waiting now for DNA clarification. And after that, I will probably just fall apart," he said.
Malcolm, a former sailor and long‑time resident of Bédar, reflects on the cruel reality that to survive, he had to hold fast to his animals, even as danger loomed.
He emphasises that no one can be blamed for the tragedy, stating it was a combination of high winds, dry terrain, and soaring temperatures that made the fire devastating.
He has praised the local police and emergency teams for keeping him informed and praised the support he received from friends across nations.
