The separate escape that condemned Stephanie and saved Jerome: "He looked at his hands and kissed his wedding ring while repeating: my wife, my wife"

The Guardia Civil has confirmed it is investigating the fall of an electrical cable as the possible cause of the deadly fire in Los Gallardos, Almería, which resulted in at least 12 fatalities. The incident occurred on Thursday and was initially classified as a "dump truck fire," according to regional government officials. However, witnesses reported to emergency services that the falling cable ignited vegetation, leading to the rapid spread of flames. The Andalusian government has since pointed to the electrical infrastructure as the likely trigger, with the regional president’s deputy, Antonio Sanz, requesting explanations in parliament over the disaster. The fire, which started in Los Gallardos, quickly consumed approximately 7,000 hectares of forest, devastating the small town of Bädar. As of now, ten of the thirteen victims have been identified, including one Spanish citizen and nine foreigners. Among them are five men and four women, with eight being foreign nationals. The victims include individuals from the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and the United States. One of the deceased is a 93-year-old British woman who died in the hospital after suffering severe burns. The identification process continues, with authorities working closely with local courts to determine the identities of the remaining victims. The tragedy has left the community of Bädar in deep mourning. The town, home to just over 900 residents, has become a place of collective grief, with many locals recounting their experiences during the fire. A survivor, known only as J.M., described how he and his father assisted Jerome Navarro, the sole survivor of the so-called "death path." Jerome, a French resident, suffered extensive burns and was in a state of shock. He repeatedly kissed his wedding ring and whispered, "my wife, my wife," while looking at his hands. His wife, Stephanie Navarro, and their three dogs were lost to the flames. Despite efforts to save them, they did not return. Stephanie, a mathematics teacher based near Aviñón, had arrived in Bädar just two days before the fire. She and her husband, along with their pets, attempted to flee as the fire rapidly approached their home. While Jerome managed to escape and was later found by a neighbor, Stephanie was unable to survive the inferno. Her body, along with those of the dogs, was discovered in the nearby woods. The emotional toll on the community has been profound, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the loss of loved ones. In addition to the human toll, the fire has raised questions about safety protocols and emergency response. The Andalusian government has acknowledged the need for greater transparency regarding the incident, particularly concerning the role of the electrical infrastructure. Antonio Sanz, the regional minister, has requested a parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Opposition parties had previously called for such an investigation, but the formal request will be made by the deputy leader of the regional government. Authorities continue to work on identifying the remaining victims and determining the exact cause of the fire. The Guardia Civil is still examining whether the fallen electrical cable was the primary factor in igniting the blaze. Meanwhile, the local court in Vera is handling the legal aspects of the case, including the identification of the bodies recovered from the burned area. The number of missing persons has increased slightly, with the police reporting ten cases of disappearance, though the official death toll remains at thirteen. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind this tragic event.