A fire reflared on Thursday evening at the Ramses Central telecoms building in downtown Cairo, just four days after a blaze there claimed the lives of four workers and injured dozens.
Civil defence teams were sent immediately to the scene after reports of smoke and flames coming from the back of the complex, officials told The National.
The renewed fire started on the roof of a smaller six-storey building that is part of the centre complex, the officials said.
The flare-up was attributed by to "hot spots", or residual heat from the initial blaze, despite the cooling work that had been under way since Monday night.
The officials said large fires often leave behind unseen damage, such as weakened cable insulation, carbon deposits on wires or hidden water seeping into sensitive equipment such as power supplies and fibre racks.
Seven fire lorries and rescue teams rushed to the site to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to adjacent structures.
Authorities confirmed that the fire was limited in scope and has been sequestered to one area, and firefighters are working on putting it out. No more casualties have been reported.
The fire on July 7 caused widespread disruptions to internet and phone services across Cairo and parts of Giza. Officials warned that minor flare-ups could occur.
Shortly after the fire reignited, reports surfaced on social media about disruptions to ATMs belonging to the National Bank of Egypt.
But the Telecommunications Ministry clarified that the renewed fire did not cause significant damage or service interruptions. Most telecoms and banking services had already been restored after the initial blaze.
Earlier on Thursday, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi ordered the Ministry of Social Solidarity to pay compensation for the victims of the first Ramses Central fire.
The families of the killed Telecom Egypt workers will each receive 1.1 million Egyptian pounds ($22,000), while injured employees will receive 175,000 pounds.
Telecom Egypt, the state-owned company that operates Central Ramses, will also contribute 1 million pounds to each victim's family and 150,000 pounds to each injured worker.
Victims also received calls of consolation from Entissar Amer, Mr El Sisi's wife.
The incident brought renewed public concern over safety measures at critical infrastructure sites.
The Ramses Central building, built in 1927, remains a critical centre for Egypt’s telecommunications network, managing about 40 per cent of the country’s traffic.
The initial fire severely damaged its operations, but alternative centres were activated to ensure services continued, although some areas remain affected.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the causes of both fires.
While preliminary findings suggest that a short-circuit started the first blaze, further analysis is under way to determine whether other factors contributed.
Emergency teams remain at the site to monitor conditions and prevent further flare-ups.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
