{
  "id": 1658681,
  "title": "'Never seen one like it': German pensioners flee wildfire",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/never-seen-one-like-it-german-pensioners-flee-wildfire",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T07:12:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Local Germany",
    "slug": "the-local-germany",
    "url": "https://www.thelocal.de/20260818/never-seen-one-like-it-german-pensioners-flee-wildfire"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "German pensioners flee wildfire in Monschau as Belgian blaze threatens to cross border. Petra Mertens, 63, and her 68-year-old husband Ulrich were among around 30 residents evacuated from their homes in the ancient town of Monschau, known for its half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. The couple, along with their dogs Cleo and Kruemel, left their home voluntarily due to the terrible air quality caused by the smoke. The former careworker and retired warehouse worker described the fire as unlike anything they had ever seen, noting the large size and intensity of the blaze. Monschau fire chief Philipp Krueger warned that the situation was unprecedented and cautioned that strong south-westerly winds forecast for Tuesday could exacerbate the situation. The Belgian wildfire, described as Europe's most urgent fire front, has been raging for four days in high fen nature reserve, and while rain and favorable winds have helped, the fire chief emphasized that it would not be extinguished anytime soon.",
  "summary": "German pensioner Petra Mertens did not hesitate when ordered to evacuate her home in the sleepy western border town of Monschau as an enormous fire advanced from neighbouring Belgium.",
  "key_points": [
    "30 German pensioners evacuated from Monschau due to wildfire.",
    "Fire chief describes Monschau blaze as unprecedented and intense.",
    "Belgian wildfire, Europe's most urgent fire front, continues for four days."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rapid evacuation of residents from Monschau highlights the growing threat of wildfires to local communities, with authorities struggling to contain the large and intense blaze.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Germany",
        "title": "'Never seen one like it': German pensioners flee wildfire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/never-seen-one-like-it-german-pensioners-flee-wildfire-1660427",
        "published": "2026-08-18T07:12:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}