Disaster struck central Cairo’s Al-Zaitoun district in central Cairo after a massive fire tore through a garment factory and warehouse located within a 12-story residential building. The blaze resulted in nine fatalities and nine injuries, with five remaining in critical condition. The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon and raged until dawn on Wednesday; firefighting crews continued cooling operations throughout the day to prevent any re-ignition. Police arrested three brothers who owned the facility after investigations revealed the factory operated without a legal license and lacked necessary safety and fire protection systems. Cairo’s Civil Protection forces managed to bring the inferno under control after a grueling multi-hour effort involving six fire engines and ten ambulances.

Source: Egypt Independent April 02, 2026 14:47 UTC