A British mother has died and her partner remains fighting for his life after they were engulfed by a wildfire in Spain.
Lisa Fryett and Simon Batchelor, from Essex, fell victim to the deadly Almería blaze that ripped through the Los Gallardos neighbourhood of southern Spain on July 9, while they were on holiday.
The next morning, authorities found at least 12 people dead and several injured – including Lisa and Simon, who were discovered in a critical condition on the mountainside near Bédar, where they had been staying.
The Almería wildfire was Spain’s third deadliest ever, claiming the lives of another four Brits who were found dead in a burnt-out car after trying to flee through the mountain roads. Most of those who died were foreigners.
Despite their devastating injuries, the couple clung to life – and begged rescuers to save them so they could be reunited with their children.
Lisa’s sons, Alfie and Charlie, and Simon’s daughter, rushed out to Spain to be with their parents – alongside Lisa’s identical twin sister Carly, her fiancé Mark Witt, and his daughter Mia.
The family were able to join the couple at their hospital bedsides throughout Lisa’s final days.
Tragically, on July 28, Lisa succumbed to her injuries and passed away.
Her son Alfie, 20, paid tribute to his mother online, writing: ‘Words genuinely can’t describe how upset I am right now writing this… but yesterday we said goodbye to my beautiful mum.
Lisa Fryett tragically succumbed to her injuries last week after being caught up in a Spanish wildfire
She was found in a critical condition alongside her partner Simon Batchelor after the deadly Almería wildfire
The hillsides of Los Gallardos were decimated by the fire in early July
‘The best person ever you was my world I’m so grateful to be able to call you my mum and I will forever love you and I will cherish every memory I have with you.’
Mia Witt, daughter of Carly’s fiance Mark, set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help the family, which has so far attracted over £65,000.
She said they were facing significant costs that were not covered by insurance.
Giving the heartbreaking update after Lisa’s death, she wrote: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beautiful Lisa passed away on the 28th of July 2026, surrounded by her loving family in Spain.
‘Our hearts are completely broken, and there are simply no words to describe the pain we are feeling. Lisa fought so incredibly hard, and we are so grateful that her loved ones were able to be by her side, surrounding her with love until the very end.’
Some of the funds donated would help the family to give Lisa the ‘beautiful send off she truly deserves’, Mia said.
But she added that Simon remains in a critical condition, so asked for continued ‘love, support and prayers’.
Mia concluded: ‘From the bottom of our hearts thank you. Every donation, every share, every message and every prayer has meant more than words can ever express.
The Almería wildfire became Spain’s third deadliest ever after it killed at least 13 people
Cars on the mountainside were found completely burnt out – in one case with four Brits inside who had died while trying to escape
‘Your kindness has carried us through the darkest days of our lives, and we will never forget the love and support that has been shown to our family.’
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.’
The Almería fire that engulfed Lisa and Simon resulted in at least 13 deaths, 17 injuries, and 1,300 evacuations.
It is the deadliest in the history of the province of Andalusia, and the third deadliest ever in Spain.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but witnesses reported that a downed power line sparked a fire that quickly spread to nearby trees.
Andalusia’s health minister said after the fire first broke out: ‘Unfortunately, the decision of some people to take evacuation routes that weren’t those indicated by the emergency services and take an alternative route became a mortal trap.
‘There were two scenarios like that specifically. One was a vehicle in which four people died, with everything pointing to them being of British origin.
‘Then another seven people died in another scenario. They were walking and had abandoned their cars and were probably looking for a way out. But they had taken a route which wasn’t the one indicated by the emergency services and the consequences have been terrible.’
