A British couple are among 13 people to have died in devastating wildfires in Spain, as over 1,500 people have been evacuated, with the blaze having destroyed 7,000 hectares of land.
Christine and Michael Chard died when the wildfires engulfed the Almeria province. The retired couple were described as “lovely, lovely people.”
A 93-year-old Briton, named locally as Audrey Ethel Curry, was injured during the fires and taken to Torrecardenas University Hospital in Almeria. She died on July 12.
The fire broke out on July 9 and raged across the region for almost a week. It has become one of the deadliest wildfires in Spanish history.
Seven Britons, three Belgians, one French person, one American, and a Spaniard have all been killed in the wildfires.
The Chards were named locally and were originally from southeast England but moved to the area several years ago.
Francesca Murray Howe, a councillor in Bedar, said: “I used to house-sit and cat-sit.
“They were retirees and had two lovely cats. I do know their house. They were just lovely, lovely people.”
Seven Britons have been killed in some of the deadliest wildfires Spain has ever seen
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Katherine, a resident of the area, met Ms Chard at a yoga class years earlier and described her as a “charming” person, Spanish newspaper El País reports.
She said: “She was a beautiful woman, truly beautiful. She had incredible red hair, long and wavy; simply beautiful.
“And a great sense of humour, very funny. Charming, warm, a wonderful human being.”
Mr Chard was a “man of few words” with a “very sarcastic” sense of humour.
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The wildfire raged for almost a week as authorities tried to get it under control
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The couple married in the village and were preparing to celebrate their nine-year wedding anniversary this summer, according to social media.
A friend wrote on social media: “Words can’t express our feelings at the loss of our dearest friends. Condolences to all your family. RIP and we hope there is a nice dry martini for you Chris.”
Another said: “Rest in peace, Christine and Michael. I was heartbroken to hear this news.
“Christine, you were always so kind to me, and I looked forward to our catch ups whenever our visits coincided with you being here. I treasure the friendship, the laughs, the cheeky drinks, the twinkle in your eye.”
Other victims have been identified by their relatives and the Spanish authorities.
Pete and Fran Gillam have been named, as well as Annette Kilgore, 69, whose husband, Malcolm Timbrell, 70, survived the blaze.
Tributes have been paid to the Gillams, who organised a village quiz that raised money for the only school in the area.
Another Briton has been named by British media as Ian Jarvis, who was born in Kent, however Spanish authorities are yet to release a full list of Britons who have died.
Speaking on the Gilliams Murray Howe said: “They were just lovely people. They all were.”
Adding for Mr Jarvis: “He was so nice. He had an odd sense of humour we loved.”
Mr Timbrell paid tribute to his wife, saying: “She was such a happy, outgoing person. We have had an amazing life together — and now it’s stopped.”