Germany wildfire forces 1,800 people from homes

Around 1,800 people were evacuated from their homes in western Germany overnight as a wildfire spread near the town of Huertgenwald, officials said Friday.

A district of Huertgenwald, near the Belgian and Dutch borders, was evacuated after the fire grew from 25 hectares to 300 hectares by Friday morning.

A spokeswoman for the local district said residents were urged to take only their most important personal items as the fire moved closer.

Around 300 emergency services personnel were sent to fight the blaze, the spokeswoman said. One helicopter was deployed, two more were expected to join, two army tanks were helping the effort and firebreaks had been cut through the forest to slow the spread.

Many parts of Europe have experienced repeated heatwaves and drought this summer, with wildfires breaking out across the continent, including in Germany.