‘It’s intolerable’: British second home-owners selling European villas due to fires

British second home-owners are increasingly selling properties in southern Europe amid escalating wildfire threats, according to reports from local media. A growing number of British residents who own holiday homes in regions such as Spain and France are facing difficult decisions as persistent droughts and extreme heat fuel devastating blazes. These fires, often sparked by human error or natural causes, have led to evacuations, loss of life, and widespread damage to both rural and urban areas. Roy Patrick and Karen Smith, a retired couple from Oxford, are among those considering selling their villa in Almeria, Spain. They purchased the three-bedroom property in 2021 for €180,000 (£154,000) and have since visited it regularly. However, recent wildfires in the region have raised serious concerns about the safety of their investment. The couple, who are currently monitoring the situation remotely through fire maps and CCTV cameras, are planning to list the property for sale and seek a new home in Italy. Their decision comes after a series of catastrophic fires in Almeria, which claimed 14 lives, including seven British nationals, and scorched over 7,000 hectares of land. The couple's villa is situated in the village of Tabernas, a small community of approximately 3,000 residents located 30 kilometers north of Almeria city. Surrounded by one of Europe’s few true deserts, the area is known for its unique landscape and agricultural activity, particularly the cultivation of olive groves. Despite the lack of wooden structures in their home, built entirely of concrete, the presence of palm trees and olive groves poses a risk. Patrick, a former businessman with experience in the automotive and motorcycle industries, expressed concern about the potential for fire spreading through the surrounding vegetation. He noted that while the desert might offer some protection, the intense heat and frequent sandstorms from the Sahara have made living conditions increasingly uncomfortable. Patrick described the current climate as “intolerable,” citing the effects of prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures. He has taken steps to protect his property, including insurance coverage against fire-related losses. Yet, he remains anxious about the possibility of losing not only the structure itself but also the valuable contents within, such as a £600 radio-controlled plane. His worries extend beyond personal loss, reflecting broader anxieties among British expatriates in the region. Meanwhile, Mary Taylor, a 74-year-old widow from Leeds, is preparing to vacate her two-bedroom apartment in Valencia, Spain. She owns the property, which offers panoramic views of the city, and has decided to hand over the keys to a real estate agent. The fires threatening nearby areas have left her unsettled, with sleepless nights and recurring nightmares. Taylor, who purchased the unit for €250,000 (£214,000) three years ago, fears the impact of fire on her investment. The blazes have engulfed over 200,000 hectares in the neighboring province of Castellón, bringing the danger dangerously close to Valencia’s borders. The smoke has significantly degraded air quality, raising health concerns for residents. Authorities have identified instances of arson in some of the larger fires, including the Vall d’Uixó blaze in Castellón, where investigators found two distinct ignition points. Police are investigating possible criminal motives behind these incidents, though no arrests have yet been announced. As the summer progresses, the pressure on British homeowners to reassess their long-term plans continues to mount, with many opting to relocate or divest their assets in search of safer environments.