Severe spong factory fire causes panic in Egypt

A large fire broke out in a sponge factory in the city of Zagazig, al-Sharqiya, in the north of Egypt, yesterday evening. Health officials said 51 people suffered smoke inhalation and seven were hospitalized. The rest were treated at the scene. The fire was brought under control with 16 fire trucks, and a committee was established by the local government to investigate the cause of the fire.