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Egyptian parliament building catches fire, injuring 13

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-20 07:14

CAIRO -- A fire broke out Tuesday in the building of the Egyptian Shura Council (upper house of the parliament) in downtown Cairo, injuring at least 13 people.

The fire, which broke out in the third floor of the parliament building in the afternoon, has destroyed the third floor and spread to the second floor, according to local TV reports.

A Xinhua correspondent said that the roads leading to the building have been closed off after the incident and that only fire engines, ambulances and rescuers can be allowed to have access to the area.

Flames and smoke could be seen rising from the building in downtown Cairo. Fire engines and ambulances were rushing to the scene to put out the blaze.

The Egyptian army has sent firefighting helicopters to help put out the fire, said the correspondent and witnesses.

Thirteen people suffered smoke inhalation in the incident, the official MENA news agency quoted Egyptian Health Ministry spokesman Abdel-Rahman Shaheen as saying.

Four of them will leave hospital soon and the others will remain for further treatment, added Shaheen.

The spokesman said the health ministry had announced state of emergency at the hospitals near the Shura Council building, adding 13 ambulances had been sent to the scene.

In an earlier interview with Egyptian state television, Shaheen said the ministry has taken measures to protect its central laboratories which are across the street.

According to MENA, the Egyptian leadership has ordered to exert more efforts to put out the fire in the building which is close to many ministries and government buildings in the populous area.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is concerned about the incident and following up the efforts to put out the fire, said presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad.

Shortly after the occurrence of the fire, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef ordered to set up an operations room to follow-up firefighting efforts.

Hearing about the incident, Shura Council Speaker Safwat el- Sherif returned to Cairo from the northern coastal city of Alexandria.

Sherif called Minister of Petroleum Sameh Fahmi to provide fire fighting foam engines to help put out the fire.

Sherif told Egyptian TV that bodies concerned are trying their best to extinguish the flames, which are still not under control in late Tuesday.

According to the speaker, the third floor of the building is old and the floors and roofs are made of wood.

An Interior Ministry official also said the fire spread because of the wooden floor and ceiling of the third floor, according to Egyptian TV.

Major General Sherif Gomaa said that 37 fire engines and six water tanks have been rushed to the scene.

Meanwhile, a source at the Egyptian Meteorological Authority said that stable weather and low wind speed prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring areas.

Earlier report by Egypt's state television said the fire could have been caused by an electrical short-circuit in the building.

A police officer on the spot said investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.