Jeanne Henny, a 74-year-old British woman, described her harrowing escape from a wildfire in southern Spain that has killed at least 12 people. The blaze, which erupted near Bédar in Almería province, caught residents off guard with its speed and ferocity.
Initial Confusion and Rapid Escalation
Henny, who has owned a home in the hamlet of Los Pinos for 33 years, initially mistook the yellow skies for a calima dust storm from the Sahara. She noticed smoke but thought the fire was distant. "We get fires and there’s some kind of scare most years," she said. However, a neighbor's knock at 5:30 pm prompted urgent action.
It took Henny nearly 30 minutes to load her friend, who uses a wheelchair, and two dogs into the car. She had to leave her five cats behind. The pair drove to the nearby village of Serena, about 1 km away, intending to reach Bédar. But as she approached Serena, the fire surged onto the road.
Split-Second Decision Saves Lives
"I had to make a split-second decision and do a three-point turn to get away from Bédar," Henny recalled. The narrow road and cliff edge made the maneuver perilous, but she succeeded. After driving 5 km up a mountain and down a rough path, they reached safety. Others were less fortunate: "Some people took the alternative road and they died in their car," she said.
The fire's speed was terrifying. "You thought it was miles away and then suddenly it was in front of you on the road," Henny said. She is staying with friends but remains alert to changing winds.
Official Response and Casualties
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, regional president of Andalucía, said most of the 12 deceased appeared to be foreigners, including hikers caught off guard in wooded areas. Bédar's mayor, Ángel Francisco Collado, reported that officials went door-to-door advising evacuation or sheltering in place. "Some people didn’t want to leave and they stayed in their houses and are still alive," he said. However, a group of nine ignored instructions to stay put; seven died and two suffered severe burns.
Francisco Miguel Reyes, mayor of Los Gallardos, described the devastation: "The fire is fearsome and it’s devoured everything in its path. The difference between yesterday and today is just devastating."
Henny's Gratitude and Uncertainty
Speaking as helicopters swept overhead, Henny expressed gratitude for her survival despite not knowing the fate of her home or cats. "I had an incredible escape," she said.
