People News

Enrique Iglesias' dad 'devastated' by fire at estate

Sep 17, 2012, 10:41 GMT

Julio Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias's father has been left 'devastated' after his Spanish estate was devastated by fire.

Julio Iglesias' Marbella property in Ojen, Las Cuatro Lunas, Spain, was ravaged by the recent forest fires which tore through 8,000 acres of land and reached his home, destroying part of his grounds and taking the life of the family's beloved dog, Chaplin.

The Spanish singer/songwriter is still coming to terms with what happened and can't believe his dream home - where he married his wife, Dutch model Miranda Rijnsburger - has been damaged so badly.

He told Britain's HELLO! magazine: 'News of the fire was some of the worst in my life. This home was - and is - the realisation of my dreams. I am devastated.'

Luckily he, Miranda and their five children were not home during the fire but Julio kept in contact with those in the area at the time.

He said: 'I was in the Dominican Republic but I was in constant contact with the people who work on the property. It was distressing because they escaped quite late - just five minutes before the flames reached the house. They didn't realise how strong the wind was, and they discovered the fire was almost at the door ... It could have been a much bigger disaster.'

Julio, 68, has just released a book about the Las Cuatro Lunas estate - translated as The Four Moons - which includes images of happier times for him and Miranda.

Although his family cried for two days after the tragedy Julio is certain that he can start over.

He added: 'Life has given me a lot of opportunities, and I can rebuild what has been destroyed.

'But there are a lot of families who've been left with nothing.'

Julio had Enrique with his ex-wife, Spanish Filipino journalist Isabel Preysler, with whom he also has two more children Chabeli Iglesias, and Julio Iglesias, Jr.