A major fire broke out at Telecom Egypt’s 10-story headquarters in downtown Cairo’s Ramses district on Monday, injuring at least 14 people and causing a temporary outage of internet and mobile phone services, according to authorities.

The blaze, which originated in an equipment room on the seventh floor, prompted a swift response from emergency services, according to AP.

The Health Ministry reported that the 14 injured individuals were promptly transported to nearby hospitals.

A witness, speaking to Cairo 24, noted that two emergency responders sustained hand burns during the operation.

Thick plumes of dark smoke billowed over central Cairo as firefighters deployed ladders and water hoses to contain the fire.

Security officials cordoned off the area surrounding the landmark building, which is a hub for Egypt’s telecommunications infrastructure.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority confirmed that the fire disrupted telecom services, including online payment platforms, but stated that services were expected to resume within hours.

The incident underscores the critical role of Telecom Egypt in the nation’s digital connectivity.

This fire occurred just a few kilometers from the site of a tragic 2019 train station blaze that killed 25 people and injured 45 others, raising concerns about safety in Cairo’s densely populated urban core.Telecom Egypt has not yet released a statement on the full extent of the damage or the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation.

The company is expected to provide updates as services are restored and recovery efforts progress.