Prosecution detains man accused of burning shops in downtown Cairo pending investigation

CAIRO – 30 January 2021: The Egyptian Public Prosecution on Saturday ordered the detention of a man accused of burning down several shops in Tawfiqia market, one of the famous markets for car accessories, downtown Cairo on Friday, for 4 days pending investigation.

On Friday morning, a huge fire broke out through shops and buildings, causing losses reportedly estimated at millions of Egyptian pounds but leaving no casualties.

Few hours after civil protection forces put out the fire, the accused man was arrested and confessed the crime, according to reports. A team of the Public Prosecution visited the scene to disclose the circumstances behind the fire.

According to the prosecution’s Saturday statement, the accused man’s uncle and the latter’s son have confirmed their earlier testimonies, accusing the man of burning down the shops they own, along with other jobs, over a financial dispute.

Arrested by the prosecution, the accused man admitted that he set fire to the shops his uncle and first cousin own in retaliation over a financial dispute.

The prosecution said it could also obtain a video showing the accused man while carrying a bag with the fuel he used to commit his crime.

According to the statement, the fire reached two buildings at Tawfiqia market street and two other buildings at Boursa street. It also extended to a shopping center in the area and a close building that is under construction as well as some other shops.