After a major fire in Emden: 91-year-old hopes to return to her home!
After a devastating fire in an apartment building in Emden on August 17, 2025, affected residents, like 91-year-old Margarete Frank, are hoping to return.

After a major fire in Emden: 91-year-old hopes to return to her home!
Last Friday there was a devastating fire on Klunderburgstrasse in Emden that left around 50 people homeless. The affected apartment building, according to nwzonline badly damaged, especially losing its attic, with the heat and the firefighting work affecting the entire building. The exact cause of the fire is still unclear, but work was being carried out on the roof before the incident.
Margarete Frank, a 91-year-old senior citizen, is one of the many affected. She lived at number 4 for over 30 years and longs to return. “It's like a part of me,” she said as she returned to her apartment on Sunday to pack important things. The shock is deep - she had to leave her clothes and other belongings behind during the evacuation and is currently dependent on loaned items. Fortunately, she is temporarily staying with her daughter Regine, which saves her having to stay in a hotel.
There is great solidarity in Emden. Apart from the affected residents, many unaffected citizens were extremely helpful. Record amounts of clothing and other items were donated through the Red Cross to help those in need.
Safety comes first
Gewoba Emden mbH, which is responsible for managing the building, monitors the current condition and the necessary measures to secure and restore the house. For the safety of residents, all door locks have been changed and access to the apartments is currently only possible with permission from Gewoba. Eight attic apartments are directly affected by the fire, while 24 others were indirectly affected.
“We are working hard to enable residents to return to their apartments as quickly as possible,” explains Olaf Neumann, head of Gewoba. According to current plans, the other house numbers will be gradually made accessible so that tenants can take the most important things with them.
Emden will recover
Efforts to support those affected are currently in full swing. The emotional and physical values of a community become particularly salient in times of crisis. In addition to the material loss, psychological support also plays an essential role. Building such a community identity, similar to Brand marketing in the economy, will be important for the residents of Emden in order to overcome this stroke of fate together.
Overall, it shows that the feeling of togetherness and willingness to help are important for survival in such difficult times. The experience of solidarity can help the people of Emden not only to cope with their material losses, but also to heal the emotional wounds that such an event brings with it.