Local authorities began on Monday to demolish parts of a 13-storey building in Giza near the Ring Road after a devastating fire ravaged the building for 10 days.

According to a source at Giza governorate who spoke with Al-Ahram, the demolition of the building started with its main façade, not the side that overlooks the ring road.

The fire started on 30 January in a shoe warehouse in the building due to an electrical short circuit, the building’s owner, who also runs the warehouse, told the prosecution.

Egypt’s prosecution ordered last Tuesday the detention of the building owner for four days pending investigation into several charges, including constructing an unlicensed building, constructing a building on agricultural land, and ignoring industrial safety standards.

The building consists of 108 apartments, 15 of which were occupied. The residents were evacuated and no casualties have been reported.

The prosecution has ordered the demolition of the building to ensure the safety of the surrounding buildings as well as the ring road.