A COUPLE of British grandparents have tragically been identified as two of the victims of the deadly Andalucia wildfire, their family have confirmed.
Pete and Fran Gillam had been missing since Thursday, their daughters Danielle Gillam-Kirton and Natalie Gillam Lindsay said, after the devastating blaze approached their home in Bedar, Almeria province.
Police later confirmed the couple were among six victims of the wildfire identified on Monday, Danielle said in a Facebook post.
“Natalie Gillam Lindsay and I are heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire,” she wrote.
“We are still trying to come to terms with this devastating news and ask for some privacy and time as we process everything.
“Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers over the past few days. They have meant more to us than we can ever express.
“We will share further details when we are able.”
The wildfire, which broke out near the town of Los Gallardos on Thursday, has killed 13 people so far, making it the deadliest in Andalucía since records began.
The Olive Press reported early on Monday that US national Ana Sims, from Nebraska, and her husband, Pedro Rodriguez, from Huelva, were feared dead in the blaze.
Authorities have since identified another two victims as an American woman and her Spanish husband, according to Spanish media reports.
A 93-year-old woman who died from her injuries in hospital on Sunday has also been identified as British.
READ MORE: First six victims of Almeria fire identified – including American woman and two Brits
The inferno is believed to have been caused by a power line that fell to the ground beside the N-340A road, igniting a patch of dry vegetation.
Driven by soaring temperatures and winds of up to 50km/h, the blaze spread at a devastating speed of around 100 metres per minute through surrounding woodland towards Bedar, forcing the evacuation of around 1,000 residents.
The fire has since been brought under control, with authorities establishing a perimeter around the affected area on Sunday and downgrading the alert to the lowest level, one.
Click here to read more Almeria News from The Olive Press.
