Egypt’s Al-Ahram film studio engulfed by fire
Egypt’s historic Al-Ahram Studio, among the world’s oldest, has succumbed to a devastating fire. Firefighters battled for hours to quell the blaze, prompting the evacuation of adjacent buildings in Cairo’s Giza district.
Emergency responders tended to individuals suffering from smoke inhalation at the scene, yet the fire’s origin remains a mystery.
Established in 1944, the studio served as a hub for the production of numerous films and television series broadcast globally. Its facilities included three production stages, a screening room, and an editing suite.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, accompanied by other officials, visited the site to assess the extent of the damage. Local media reports indicated that the fire erupted just 24 hours after the completion of filming for the studio’s Ramadan TV series.
AFP reports that residents in neighboring buildings were still sleeping on the ground in nearby streets at dawn on Saturday.
The fire damaged the facades of seven buildings. In a statement reported by Arab News, the prime minister announced compensation for affected families.