At least 38 people were injured in the massive fire that broke out in the early hours of today in one of the largest buildings in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, on the west bank of the Suez Canal, according to media reports.

The fire, the cause of which remains unknown so far, broke out at the headquarters of the security directorate before dawn, on the day President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was expected to announce – according to his supporters – his candidacy in December’s presidential election.

Firefighters were unable to bring the blaze under control after more than three hours, while parts of the building collapsed.

Videos posted on social media sites show huge flames engulfing floors of the imposing building, which houses mostly military personnel.

Of the “26 injured” who were taken to a hospital, according to the Ministry of Health, 24 suffered “asphyxiation” due to smoke inhalation, and two others suffered burns, according to reports. Twelve other injured received medical treatment at the scene.

The Ministry of Health sent 50 ambulances to the building, while forces were also deployed within the armed forces, including two aircraft, state media reported.

fire

Fires, often due to short circuits, are not uncommon in the Arab world’s most populous country (105 million inhabitants), where infrastructure is dilapidated and/or poorly maintained.

In August 2022, an accidental fire killed 41 worshipers inside a church in a narrow street in a working-class district of Cairo, sparking a battle over infrastructure and fire response time.

In March 2021, at least 20 people were killed in a fire at a textile factory in an eastern sector of Cairo. In 2020, two hospital fires claimed the lives of 14 people.