Fire Blazes at Major Cairo Convention Centre; 16 Injuries Reported

A huge fire has broken out at the Cairo International Convention Centre in Nasr City.

Huge plumes of smoke rose out of one of the buildings in the sprawling centre which hosts many of the country’s major conferences.

Witnesses said the smoke could be seen from a few kilometers distance.

Sixteen people suffered for suffocation and sustained bruises, according to the health ministry.

Sixteen fire trucks are attempting to contain the blaze, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported, and Egypt’s state TV reported military helicopters are also assisting in the effort.

A state TV correspondent said the fire has reached the main conference hall.

The fire reportedly originated in one of the centre’s administrative buildings.

Employees were evacuated from the building.

No injuries have so far been reported.

Source: Ahram Online