At least 13 people were injured when a fire broke out in the building of the Egyptian Shura Council ( upper house of the parliament) on Tuesday afternoon, an Egyptian Health Ministry spokesman said.

Two Egyptian reporters climb to a building to observe the fire that broke out in the building of the Egyptian Shura Council (Egypt's upper house of parliament) in downtown Cairo, injuring at least 13 people on Tuesday, August 19, 2008. [Photo: Xinhuanet]

Thirteen people suffered smoke inhalation in the incident, the official MENA news agency quoted Abdel-Rahman Shaheen as saying.

Four of them will leave hospital soon and the others will remain for treatment, added Shaheen.

The spokesman said the health ministry had announced state of emergency at the hospitals near the Shura Council building, adding 13 ambulances had been sent to the scene.

On Tuesday afternoon, a huge fire broke out in the Egyptian parliament building in downtown Cairo.

Flames and smoke could be seen rising from the building in downtown Cairo. Fire engines and ambulances were rushing to the scene to put out the blaze.

A Xinhua correspondent said the roads leading to the building have been closed off and that only fire engines, ambulances and rescuers can be allowed to have access to the area.

The Egyptian army has sent firefighting helicopters to help put out the fire, which has destroyed the third floor of the building.

Earlier report by Egypt's state television said the fire, which broke out in the third floor of the parliament building, could have been caused by an electrical short-circuit in the building.

A police officer on the spot said investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.