Firefighters battle huge fire at major Cairo highway, 12 injuries reported

Local reports said some 20 fire trucks headed to the scene to tackle the blaze. (Screenshot)

A man sits next to a burned truck following a fire that broke out in?Egypt's Shuqair-Mostorod crude oil?pipeline, at the beginning of Cairo-Ismailia road, Egypt July 14, 2020. (Reuters)

• The pipeline, reportedly used for petrochemicals, exploded affecting cars at the site

CAIRO: A ruptured crude oil pipeline set off a monstrous blaze on the Cairo-Ismailia desert road on Tuesday, injuring 12 people.  
Egypt’s petroleum ministry said the fire was under control. 
It said a torrent of crude oil leaked from the broken Shuqair-Mostorod pipeline into the thoroughfare, where a spark from the heavy traffic ignited the fire, the ministry said.
The country's Health Ministry said 12 people suffering burns and smoke inhalation were rushed to a hospital for treatment, and all hospitals near the site were preparing to receive more injured.
The pipeline exploded affecting cars at the site.
Local reports said some 20 fire trucks headed to the scene to tackle the blaze. 

Footage showed a number of vehicles in the area seem to have been severely damaged. 
The traffic department called on all drivers to stay away from the highway to allow fire fighters and police access the site. Social media users shared video clips and pictures of the fire site, with heavy smoke billowing across the road, which stretches from the capital, Cairo, to the city of Ismailia, on the Suez Canal..