Egypt’s Interior Ministry Building Engulfed in Flames

The upper floors of Egypt’s Interior Ministry building were engulfed in flames on Tuesday as policemen protested outside to demand a higher pay. It is believed that the demonstrators were the responsible of starting the fire, afterwards the firefighters contained the flames by spraying water from tall ladders.

Demonstrators gathered outside State Security offices of the nation, some of them searched for evidence of human rights violations. This Tuesday the protest outside the ministry were held by policemen, who demanded a salary of $200 a month, which is much more of what they earn now, and also requested, better benefits like improved health care. After the resignation of the former Hosni Mubarak, constant demonstrations began since February 11.

Around 15 central security trucks barricaded the complex to detain the entrance of demonstrators. It remains unclear how the fire started. Demonstrations of this day demanded the return of the former Interior Minister, Mahmoud Wagdi, who after a month was replaced by the military cabinet with the Major General Mansour el-Essawy.

Source: AP