THE daughter of two British grandparents killed in last month’s deadly Almeria wildfire has hit back at suggestions from Spanish officials that some of the victims ignored instructions to evacuate.
Pete and Fran Gillam were among 14 people who died – including seven Brits – after becoming trapped while trying to flee a ferocious blaze that tore through the village of Bedar in mid-July.
Speaking to The Guardian, their daughter Danielle Kirton said her parents had done exactly what they were told and accused politicians of attempting to shift the blame onto victims.
“My parents did not ignore instructions,” she said. “My parents would not have had an issue with instructions in Spanish.
“My parents heeded advice to shelter in place, until they were then told that they needed to evacuate.
“They took the correct route, and their only route, to the evacuation point. It is a weak and cowardly act to blame victims in the face of tragedy.”
Kirton, a 42-year-old assistant headteacher from Nottinghamshire, is calling on the new UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband to press the Spanish government for answers over why residents were not ordered to evacuate sooner.
READ MORE: PICTURED: British grandparents confirmed among victims of deadly Almeria wildfire
She said her mother had sent her a video at 6.45pm showing the fire, albeit a considerable way away from the hill where she lived with her husband.
But the evacuation order was not issued until shortly after 8pm, despite the wildfire alert having been raised more than three hours earlier.
According to Kirton, residents were warned by a single police officer who was ‘frantically driving from house to house’, while Spain’s official mobile emergency alert system was never activated.
“My mum had a bag packed and she was ready to evacuate,” she said. “She was just waiting to be told what to do.”
The Gillams left their home after finally being instructed to evacuate, but stopped briefly to warn a neighbour before becoming trapped as the flames closed in on both sides of the road.
Kirton argued that subsequent wildfires in Spain – including the largest in Spanish history near Madrid earlier this week – have resulted in no civilian deaths because authorities made greater use of the emergency alert system.
“It would appear that somewhere within that system there has been a failure,” she said.
She also criticised the response from the UK foreign office, describing it as a ‘slap in the face’ after the family were allegedly sent little more than a link explaining what to do when someone dies abroad.
“The help from the consulate has been nonexistent,” she said.
Kirton said she hopes both the British and Spanish governments will ensure a full investigation is carried out into the response to the fire.
“My mum and dad would have always spoken up for what’s right,” she said.
“If I can do anything for them, it’s to ask for the truth and ensure this never happens again to any other family.”
The UK Foreign Office said that any investigation into the fire is a matter for the Spanish government in Madrid.
“The foreign secretary has been in regular contact with his Spanish counterpart, including during his visit to Madrid on Wednesday,” a spokesperson said.
“They discussed how the UK could support Spain’s response, ensure British nationals receive the right advice and assistance, and agreed that lessons must be learned as climate change makes these dangerous wildfires more likely.
“Staff at our embassy have been working with the British community in the affected area, collating their questions and concerns and raising them with the Spanish authorities. This work is ongoing.”
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