Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / AFRICA
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
22:50 GMT, Tuesday, 19 August 2008 23:50 UK

Egypt's parliament hit by blaze

At least 13 people have been hurt in a fire at the upper house of the Egyptian parliament in Cairo, officials say.

The cause of the blaze is unclear, but officials say it could have been caused by an electrical short-circuit.

Flames and smoke billowed from the building, and roads in the city centre were closed as firefighters - backed by army helicopters - tackled the fire.

They managed to contain the blaze only several hours after it broke out at about 1430 GMT.

The fire caused severe damage to a parliamentary archive room and several meeting chambers, officials said.

Most of the injured required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and other injuries.

Both houses of parliament are currently in summer recess.



E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Egypt's parliament
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©