The family of a British couple who died in wildfires in southern Spain have said they are “heartbroken” over their deaths.

Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the village that bore the brunt of the wildfires on Thursday, were confirmed dead by their family.

Posting on Facebook, their daughter Danielle Gillam-Kirton, from Sheffield, said the family were “heartbroken to share that we have received confirmation from the police that Mum and Dad did not survive the fire”.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it was “supporting British nationals affected and their families and remain in close contact with the Spanish authorities”.

It is understood that the family had been searching for the couple since Thursday.

Gillam-Kirton’s mother had texted her that evening to say they were evacuating, but the couple had not been heard from since.

Messages and calls failed to reach either parent, she said in an earlier Facebook post.

The post by the couple’s daughter continued: “We are still trying to come to terms with this devastating news and ask for some privacy and time as we process everything.

“Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers over the past few days. They have meant more to us than we can ever express.”

The couple’s deaths were also confirmed in another Facebook post by Bédar Village People – a community page for the area.

Hundreds of responses have been made to that with people paying tribute.

One post read: “This is beyond sad. We were just chatting the other day. It doesn’t seem real.”

Another said: “I cannot express how sad I am to hear this news. A lovely couple who will be greatly missed.”

At least 13 people, including five believed by Spanish authorities to be Britons, were killed by the wildfire in Spain’s Almeria province, one of the country’s deadliest ever.

The toll rose on Sunday after a 93-year-old woman, believed to be British, died of her injuries in hospital. The identities of those killed have not yet been officially confirmed.

The fire, which has now been contained, burned through about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land, authorities said.

Spain has suffered frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40C.

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