Cameron and Sue Evans, who had invested two and a half years of effort into their Spanish farmhouse, watched it be consumed by wildfire in mere hours. The couple described their home, named Casa de los Suenos – House of Dreams – in Fuente del Albarico, as looking 'like a war film' after the blaze. The destruction extended to their entertainment room, cherished artwork, and the surrounding olive and almond trees.
While the Evanses consider themselves fortunate to have escaped, the wildfire that swept through the Almeria region of southern Spain on July 9, 2026, proved deadly for others. At least thirteen people died while attempting to flee the inferno, which also impacted the nearby village of Bedar. Among the deceased were Britons Annette Kilgour, 69, and her husband Malcolm Timbrell, 70, who had moved to Bedar after finding their home on the television show 'A Place In The Sun' in 2022.
This fire became Europe's deadliest of the summer, rapidly consuming approximately 17,000 acres. Fueled by extreme heatwaves and strong winds, the blaze moved at an alarming speed, trapping residents in hilly terrain with limited escape routes.
The Evanses' ordeal began with what they initially perceived as a minor smoke plume on the horizon. Having previously experienced a wildfire evacuation the year before, they initially planned to leave only if the wind shifted. However, within twenty minutes, the fire began moving directly towards their property.
Grabbing essential documents and their two dogs, Phoebe and Molly, they departed their home. They first sought refuge in the nearby village of Bedar, where they encountered other British residents. As the fire intensified and smoke thickened, they decided to move again to Los Gallardos, a town where an emergency gathering point had been established. However, their escape route was cut off by flames, forcing them to attempt a perilous journey on back roads as the fire surrounded them.
Their convoy eventually navigated through the intense heat and flames, finding safety nine miles away in the town of Lubrin, where the Red Cross provided emergency supplies. The following morning, they learned the entire area remained a danger zone, and their fears for their home grew.
Unbeknownst to them, Annette Kilgour had already perished. Her husband, Malcolm, had briefly returned to their house to rescue their cats. While attempting to reunite with Annette and other neighbors, he was overtaken by the fire and had to shelter in a car, which miraculously survived while surrounding structures burned. Annette and six others were killed by the advancing wall of flames.
The couple eventually found temporary accommodation an hour's drive away, but could still see smoke and smell the fire, with ash falling around them.
Before the fire, the Evanses had embraced their retirement in Spain, relocating in 2024 from Blackpool. They had fallen in love with the rural setting after a breakdown during a European trip led to an extended stay in Murcia. Their chosen farmhouse, parts of which dated back 250 years, was a dream realized. Despite the challenges of rural living, including occasional issues with water and electricity, they cherished the peace and beauty of their surroundings and the friendly local community.
Weeks after the fire, the Evanses returned to their property to find it almost entirely destroyed. The random path of the fire meant some neighboring homes remained untouched, while others were damaged. Although a stairwell cubby protected their family photos, the house itself, representing a new beginning, was gone. They anticipate it will take at least six months, likely more, to begin rebuilding.
Questions have arisen regarding the authorities' response during the crisis, with conflicting accounts about whether official warnings were issued. The family of Annette Kilgour has launched an appeal for information to establish an accurate timeline of events, with legal proceedings now underway.
Despite the devastation, the Evanses, who have 14 grandchildren, have decided to remain in Spain, stating their continued love for the country and its way of life. They are considering preventative measures, such as creating a fire barrier around their property and maintaining a permanent emergency kit, to prepare for future potential disasters. They acknowledge the increasing threat of wildfires in a changing climate but maintain that their Spanish idyll was the best decision they ever made.