At least 20 people were killed and 24 others were injured Thursday in a clothing factory fire in Cairo, Egypt.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fatal fire, according to a statement released by the government.

Fifteen fire trucks were dispatched to extinguish the huge blaze as smoke billowed over the area. Ambulances were ferrying the casualties to nearby hospitals.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, medical sources told AFP.