CAIRO – 10 January 2025: Cairo authorities have successfully contained a major fire that broke out at four plastic waste sorting and recycling factories on Shaker Tawfik Street in the Manshiyet Nasser neighborhood overnight.
The fire, which sparked widespread panic among local residents, was brought under control by the Civil Protection Forces, who continue to conduct cooling operations at the scene.
Governor of Cairo, Ibrahim Saber, confirmed that the flames were confined to the four factories, with no injuries or fatalities reported.
Fortunately, the nearby Simon the Tanner monastery, a historically significant site, was not affected by the fire, as it was situated a safe distance away from the disaster zone.
“The situation has been effectively managed by our Civil Protection Forces,” said Saber in a statement. “The fire only impacted the factories involved, and thankfully, no one was harmed. Our teams are working tirelessly to cool down the remaining embers.”
Saber also revealed that an engineering committee has been formed to assess the extent of the damage caused to the affected factories and surrounding buildings.
This investigation will help determine the full scope of the incident and any necessary actions for reconstruction. In addition to this, the Governor issued a directive for the swift removal of debris once the investigation process is concluded.
The Public Prosecution and forensic teams will investigate the origins of the blaze to determine its cause, with officials stressing the importance of conducting a thorough inquiry into the incident.
Earlier reports described the terrifying moments when the fire erupted on Thursday evening, with flames engulfing nearby homes, leading to a chaotic scene of residents scrambling to escape the rapidly spreading blaze.
The panic intensified as the fire advanced, with many fearing for their lives and homes.
Fortunately, fire crews managed to prevent the flames from spreading beyond the factories, and the evacuation of affected buildings went smoothly, with no civilian casualties reported.
While the fire disrupted the lives of many in the community, the timely response by the firefighting units was instrumental in minimizing further damage.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and authorities are working with experts to find the origin of the flames.
Given the nature of the factories involved, safety concerns about potential hazards in the waste materials used in the sorting and recycling process are also under review.
The community, though rattled by the events, has shown resilience, with authorities working in close coordination to restore normalcy.
The engineering committee’s evaluation will play a crucial role in determining what immediate steps will be taken to repair any structural damage to the factories and address safety concerns for nearby residents.
The fire serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by industrial facilities, and authorities are committed to ensuring the area’s safety as the investigation continues. As of now, the situation is under control, with ongoing efforts to address the aftermath.