Massive fire destroys Egypt's oldest Al Ahram film studio in Cairo
A firefighters cools the area still smouldering after a fire at the Al Ahram Studio and surrounding buildings in Giza district on Saturday. AFP
A massive fire broke out on Sunday afternoon in a shopping mall situated in the Banks Complex on Teseen Street in Egypt's Fifth Settlement (El Tagamoa El Khames). The fire reportedly caused a heavy smoke and flames.
Earlier, a major fire in Cairo destroyed the 80-year-old Al Ahram Studio in Cairo's Giza district — one of the Arab world's most prestigious and oldest film production houses.
The Giza Governorate released a statement saying it dispatched several fire engines to the blaze, with nearby homes evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The studio was founded in the 1940s and has been the filming location for a television series currently airing during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The culture ministry said the fire started in decorations of a "traditional area" where a Ramadan piece was being filmed. It said the decorations were far from the historical studio buildings, which were unscathed.
Flames took over the building burning everything inside and spreading to three surrounding buildings, which were evacuated before the blaze reached them.
Firefighters needed more than six hours to extinguish the blaze. The Public Prosecution has opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
The culture ministry said it was waiting for public prosecution and forensic lab investigation results to determine the cause of the fire. It has formed a special committee to assess losses and damages.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire that reportedly led to damages to the Arab African Bank, MID Bank, and nearby shops.
The fire also caused heavy traffic congestion on Teseen Street, with traffic being diverted to neighbouring roads.
According to the preliminary investigation, the fire started from the top floor of the building. While details regarding the extent of the material losses caused by the fire have not been announced yet.
The incident caused anxiety among the residents of the Fifth Settlement, as fire incidents are now more frequent than ever before.
