FAMILY members and friends of the 11 firemen who died whilst fighting a forest fire in the Guadalajara province held a minute’s silence yesterday on the fourth anniversary.

On July 17, 2005, a blaze broke out in the mountains, thought to be as a result of a group of walkers starting a barbecue.

Of the 12 firemen who attended to the inferno, only one survived by sheltering under the fire engine.

The others perished in the flames.

Their relatives have heavily criticised the government for not giving explanations about the incident, and for the length of time that the trial of the group of walkers is taking.

Many say they are taking anti-depressants and tranquilisers as a result, and suffer from insomnia.