A massive fire erupted at an Egyptian police headquarters in Ismailia on Monday, with local media reporting at least 38 injuries.
While no immediate fatalities have been reported, it’s important to note that the building is continuously manned by soldiers, and hospitals have been put on high alert.
Local media footage depicted plumes of smoke billowing from the completely charred multi-storey structure.
The source of the fire, which ignited at the Ismailia Security Directorate headquarters before dawn, remains unidentified at this time.
According to the health ministry, local media reported that among the 26 individuals transported to a nearby hospital, 24 had experienced “asphyxiation,” while the remaining two had sustained burn injuries.
Twelve more were treated at the scene.
As reported by state media, the health ministry dispatched 50 ambulances to the location, and they were later joined by military emergency services, including two planes.
Tragically, lethal fires are a recurring risk in Egypt, where the enforcement of fire safety regulations is infrequent, and the response time of emergency services is frequently delayed.
In August 2022, a fire, attributed to a short circuit, claimed the lives of 41 worshipers in a church in Cairo. This incident sparked demands for the enhancement of the nation’s infrastructure and the fire brigade’s response efficiency.
In March 2021, a fire at a textile factory in the capital city resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives, while in 2020, two separate hospital fires claimed the lives of 14 individuals.