A fire broke out on Thursday in an agricultural area in the western part of Siwa Oasis, near the Libyan border, Al-Ahram Arabic's news website reported.

The reasons of the fire are still unknown.

Egypt's Defence Minister Major General Sedki Sobhi ordered the deployment of two fire-fighting planes and three fire trucks to help put out the blaze.

Meanwhile, head of security in Marsa Matrouh governorate Annany Hamouda said that security forces along with military aides were able to control the fire.

Hamouda also said that the fire burned 10 acres of planted olives and dates.  

Prosecutors along with a forensic team traveled to the oasis in order to investigate the fire's causes.

Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt's most isolated settlements, home to only 23,000 people. Agriculture is the main activity, particularly the cultivation of dates and olives.