The daughter of a British couple killed in the deadly Almeria wildfire has recalled her horror after allegedly finding human bones in her parents’ burnt-out car.
Danielle Gillam-Kirton said she ‘shouted in shock’ after finally being allowed to see inside the vehicle at a Mojacar car pound on August 19.
Her parents Pete and Fran Gillam were among the 14 who lost their lives in the catastrophic blaze in Bedar and Los Gallardos on July 9.
Speaking to The Guardian, Danielle claimed the Guardia Civil told her she would ‘find nothing’ because the vehicle had been ‘inspected meticulously’.
However, upon looking inside, she allegedly discovered multiple pieces of bone alongside their parents’ jewellery, phones, keys, money and other belongings.
‘I honestly can’t describe what that felt like,’ she said.
‘I remember staring at what was in my hand, and the slow realisation of what I thought I was looking at hit me. I shouted out in shock.’
The family has now filed a formal complaint concerning the Guardia Civil’s handling of the case, while stressing that it is not an accusation against individual officers.
Instead, they say they want ‘a clear and transparent explanation of the procedures that were followed’.
Danielle claims police told her the bones probably came from an animal, and that she had to push the Spanish authorities to get them DNA tested,
‘The bones were big. I can’t see how a large animal like a cow would have climbed into the passenger seat of the vehicle during a fire,’ she said.
Danielle was among many family members to question the Spanish authorities’ handling of the disaster, including a perceived lack of warning.
Despite the flames being detected at 4.30pm, an evacuation order took three hours to be issued. According to witnesses, this consisted of a police officer ‘frantically driving from house to house’ to warn residents individually.
The affected area is incredibly rural, with homes dotted across the dry and hilly scrubland, many connected only by winding dirt roads.
Danielle called on the UK government to ‘keep pressing the Spanish authorities for proper answers’.
She hopes a ‘thorough’ investigation can prevent similar tragedies in the future, especially as wildfires are becoming more common.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in Spain and our thoughts are with those affected by the devastating wildfires.’
The Spanish Eye has contacted the Guardia Civil and Bedar town hall for comment.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
