“My brother's children are all gone, Reza… I was coming to help Heba prepare her belongings.” These were among the emotional words spoken by the victims' aunt after she arrived at the scene of the apartment fire in Giza's Haram area.
The fire claimed the lives of her brother's wife, Mona, and their three children, while the father, Reza, and his son Youssef were injured.
The incident left residents in a state of shock and grief as authorities began examining the scene to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Victims' Aunt Arrives at the Fire Scene
The victims' aunt arrived at the scene after traveling from Minya Governorate and broke down after learning that her brother's wife and their three children had died.
She mourned the family and spoke emotionally about her niece Heba, who had been preparing for her wedding.
The aunt later went to Zeinhom Morgue to receive the victims' bodies before they were transported to the family's hometown in Minya.
Mother Was With Her Neighbor Before the Fire
A female eyewitness said that Mona had been with her the day before the fire.
She explained that the family had lived in the area for around 20 years, while their family roots were in Minya Governorate.
According to the witness, Reza was sleeping outside the apartment in the building's garage with his son Youssef when the fire broke out.
After realizing that the apartment was on fire, he repeatedly attempted to enter the apartment and rescue his wife and three children.
Father Tried to Open the Metal Door
The eyewitness said Reza attempted to open the apartment's metal door to reach his family, but the intense heat made it extremely difficult to get inside.
Despite the dangerous conditions, he continued trying to reach his family as the flames spread through the apartment.
Repeated Attempts to Rescue the Children
According to another eyewitness, Reza managed during one of his attempts to carry two of the children and tried to get them out of the apartment.
He was reportedly injured in the head while attempting to leave.
The father then returned to the scene, brought two blankets, placed them over his shoulders and attempted to enter the apartment again to rescue the remaining members of his family.
However, the fire and the injuries he sustained prevented him from continuing his efforts.
Father Injured During Rescue Attempts
Reza suffered injuries to his left hand and head while trying to reach his family.
Witnesses said he remained devastated after the fire and repeatedly described his attempts to rescue the children.
Windowless Apartment Complicated Rescue Efforts
One eyewitness said the fire broke out inside a ground-floor apartment used as accommodation for the building's caretaker.
The witness said the apartment had no windows or adequate openings, making it difficult for neighbors to reach the people trapped inside.
The fire reportedly started at around 6 a.m. Residents attempted to control the flames and rescue the family, but the intensity of the fire prevented them from entering before civil protection teams arrived.
Initial Investigation Points to Washing Machine Electrical Fault
The Public Prosecution inspected the scene to examine the circumstances and determine the cause of the fire.
The initial inspection indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit involving the washing machine.
The forensic laboratory was also assigned to examine the scene and provide further findings regarding the cause and circumstances of the incident.
Details of the Giza Apartment Fire
Security authorities in Giza received a report of a fire inside a ground-floor apartment in the Haram police district, with reports of deaths and injuries.
Civil protection teams arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Mona and her three children, Heba, Ziad and Nada, while Reza and his son Youssef were injured.
The victims' bodies and the injured were transported, while a report was filed and the Public Prosecution began its investigation.
Following the completion of the required procedures, the victims' aunt went to Zeinhom Morgue to receive the bodies before they were transported to Minya for burial.
Where did the fire occur?
It occurred inside a ground-floor apartment in the Haram district of Giza.
Who died in the fire?
The mother, Mona, and her three children, Heba, Ziad and Nada, died.
Who was injured?
The father, Reza, and his son Youssef were injured.
What was the initial cause of the fire?
The initial inspection indicated an electrical short circuit involving the washing machine.
Where were the victims' bodies taken?
They were taken to Zeinhom Morgue before being transported to Minya.
