CAIRO: A massive fire broke out yesterday at Studio Misr, destroying the main set of a movie directed by Khaled Youssef.
The set of “Kelmeni Shokran (Call Me, Thanks), which was being shot at the end of the Studio Misr’s main building in Giza, starting blazing at around 6 am, according to an official at the studio who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
“Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, a preliminary investigation indicated that it was caused by an electrical short circuit, said the official, describing the fire as a “major disaster that demolished the whole interior decoration, camera and lighting equipment and artists’ accessories.
He explained that the fire lasted three hours straight and required 20 fire engines to extinguish.
“There were no casualties, but the material losses are estimated at about LE 8 million, he added.
A security official at the studio said that “all safety precautions were fully functional and that there is no evidence that this was a criminal act.
He attributed the severity of the fire to the fact that the studio is built entirely of foam and flammable plastic.
Tight security barred everyone from entering the fire scene, to prevent tampering with any evidence necessary for the investigation.
“Kelmeni Shokran is a collaboration between Khaled Youssef and Albatross production, starring Amr Saad, Amr Abdel Jelil, Ghada Abdel Razek and Shwekar and tackles the lives of young Egyptians juggling several jobs. Youssef started shooting three weeks ago.
Studio Misr is Egypt’s most prestigious studio complex. It was built by leading economic reformist Talaat Harb Pasha around 1935.
