At least 25 people were killed and 24 others were injured today in a major fire at a three-storey furniture factory on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital.
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Twenty four others were injured in the fire, ministry official Mohamed Lashin was quoted as saying by the Al-Ahram Arabic news website.
According to a security official, a preliminary investigation indicated that the blaze started when a gas cylinder exploded as it was transported in an elevator.
A stampede that ensued the fire raised the casualties toll, as workers were trying to flee the fire, that also saw a partial collapse of the factory’s building.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours and eventually got it under control.
Egyptian state-run media said the factory had not obtained a government safety certification.
The factory’s two owners were arrested.
Egyptian state-run media said the factory in the city of al-Obour had not obtained a government safety certification.
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Another 22 people were injured by the fire in El Obour, an industrial city about 35 km (22 miles) northeast of Cairo, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said.
