At Least 32 Dead in Theater Fire in Egypt

A candle used as a prop in a production of 'Hamlet' fell over and caused a raging fire that killed at least 32 people in an Egyptian theater Monday night. The incident took place at an experimental theater in Beni Suef, located approximately 60 miles south of Cairo.

According to local officials, the candle set fire to the carpeting of the theater. The fire spread very rapidly after that according to survivors of the blaze. In fact, the entire one-story theater burned to the ground in less than an hour.

According to the official Egyptian news agency MENA, 32 bodies had been sent to local hospitals. At least 37 other people were injured. The theater held roughly 100 people according to local officials.

'All the people rushed to the exit and struggled to get out, explained Adel Hassan, the producer of the play. 'But the fire spread very rapidly and many of them just couldn't get out in time.'

Hassan himself was being treated at Beni Suef Hospital for serious burns to his face and arms. Approximately 14 members of the acting troop were among the injured.

Historically, fire regulations in public buildings are not strictly enforced in Egypt and a small bribe to a public official can get them to look the other way.