It
was not immediately clear what caused the blaze or if anyone was
hurt.
The fire appeared mainly confined to the top floor of the
Ministry of Religious Endowments, or Awqaf, building, although
flames were seen shooting out of a second floor window as well,
according to a Reuters reporter.
At least seven firetrucks were deployed, and after several hours
the fire was largely extinguished.
The main part of the building was built in 1898, with wings
added on either side in 1912 and 1927. Most of the ministry's
employees moved to the new capital, away from the clutter and
chaos of Cairo, in late July.
Some former ministry buildings are to be repurposed under
Egypt's Sovereign Fund, a process the government hopes will draw
badly needed investment and help regenerate central Cairo.
(Reporting by Patrick Werr; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|