13 hours ago
British couple 'lucky to get out alive' after their apartment in Spain is destroyed in arson attack which has left them homeless
A British couple were 'lucky to get out alive' after their home in Ibiza was destroyed in a suspected arson attack, leaving them and their children homeless.
Dan and Marie Williams and their two young daughters are said to have been left 'relying on the generosity of friends' after a devastating fire ripped through their apartment building in the Playa d'en Bossa area in southern Ibiza on June 10.
The blaze is believed to have been started by a local man and woman who set two restaurants and a shop on the ground floor of the block of flats alight.
The flames quickly spread to the surrounding businesses and caused severe damage to the apartments above, including Dan and Marie's home on the first floor.
Speaking about her family's horrifying ordeak in a Facebook post, Mrs Marie - who owns a beauty salon on the island - said: 'We were asleep in bed and ran barefoot with seconds to spare through thick smoke to escape. We were so lucky!!
'My apartment is wrecked from smoke damage so we are currently staying with friends as insurance doesn't cover enough for Ibiza prices.
'It's going to be a long journey to get back to normal in the height of summer when we are both working with two small children.'
In a separate social media post, Mr Williams - a DJ - said: 'Everything is completely overwhelming for our little family at the believe that two people could set fire to a restaurant in the middle of the night knowing full well that [families] were fast asleep above them. We are so lucky and grateful to be alive.'
On June 10, a fire was allegedly started by a local man and woman in the shops and buildings in the ground floor of an apartment building. Fire spread and damaged the flats above, including Dan and Marie's apartment on the first floor
The father-of-two also shared police drone footage of the fire, with the video showing the whole apartment complex embattled by the blaze.
A separate video shows a firefighter tirelessly hosing down the quick-spreading flames.
The couple's flat is currently covered in black toxic dust and has no water supply, making their home uninhabitable.
A friend of the couple, Catherine Melhuish, started a GoFundMe to raise money for the family.
In the fundraiser's description, Ms Melhuish explained that the couple and their kids are having to stay with friends until their home is safe to live in again.
'My lovely friends Dan and Marie had their beautiful home destroyed by smoke damage after the huge fire in the restaurants below their apartment block in Playa d'en Bossa... This has been absolutely devastating for them and they were lucky to get out alive!', the GoFundMe says.
'The insurance only covered the cost of a hotel for a few nights and they are now relying on the generosity of friends for places to stay whilst they wait for their apartment to be safe to live in again.
'At the apartment there is no water supply and all the waste pipes have melted causing sewage to leak out under the block. Everything inside is covered in toxic black dust and the smell is unbearable.'
Images shared on the fundraiser's website shows the damage done to the couple's home, with black dusk seen covering the floors and walls of the apartment.
Ms Melhuish added that the couple have to get their apartment professionally cleaned and painted and also need to have all their furnishings, kitchen and bathrooms replaced.
'The insurance money offered is minimal and everything needs to be paid for upfront before the claim can be processed', she added.
The couple have also had to take time off work. 'Dan is self are losing money every day,' Ms Melhuish said on the fundraising page.
'Any donations will be greatly appreciated and relieve some of their stress and worry.
'Let's help get their life back to normal and make their home a safe and clean place for Dan, Marie, the kids and their little dog to live in again.'
The fire was allegedly started by a man and a woman on June 10, Spanish Eye reports.
The woman, who reportedly lives on the beach, had been asked to leave one of the restaurants on the ground floor of the building the day before.
She then returned with her partner the next day and allegedly set the restaurant on fire in an act of revenge.
The couple were later arrested and charged with arson.
This is the latest house fire to have affected Britons living in Spain.
Last year, an elderly British couple were killed in a fire in their home near Benidorm.
Firefighters and other emergency responders raced to the scene after being alerted by a neighbour at their porperty in the Costa Blanca resort of Denia.
But there was nothing they could do to save the pair's lives and they were pronounced dead at the scene after their bodies were found inside.
