Egyptian Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Fire at Ismailia Police Headquarters
(AWP) - A massive fire broke out at the Ismailia Security Directorate’s building in eastern Egypt on Monday morning, prompting Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfik to form an investigation committee to determine the cause of the blaze.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health announced that 38 people suffered from burns or smoke inhalation due to the fire.
According to Health Ministry Spokesman, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, 26 injured people were taken to Ismailia’s medical complex, with seven of them being discharged after treatment.
Abdelghaffar added that 12 of the injured received medical aid at the scene of the fire.
Interior Minister Tawfik arrived on the scene to inspect it personally and directed that all necessary care be provided to the wounded until their full recovery.
The Interior Ministry said in a statement that it had "ordered the formation of a committee of consultants to determine the causes of the fire, as well as to review the structural safety of the building to restore its functionality as soon as possible."
The fire caused severe damage to the building. Eyewitnesses told AWP that several residents used their own cranes to rescue many people, who were inside the building, before civil protection vehicles and ambulances arrived at the scene.
A security source said that forensic experts are collecting evidence and conducting the necessary examinations to determine the circumstances of the fire.
Hospitals in Ismailia declared a state of emergency and police cordoned the area surrounding the incident’s location.