A fire is raging in the area of the Egyptian interior ministry building in the capital, Cairo.
A ministry official quoted by the Reuters news agency says the fire is likely linked to protests by police over pay and working conditions.
Television footage showed huge plumes of black smoke rising over downtown Cairo.
Police have staged protests outside the ministry since an interim government took over following the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.
In February, officials said former police officers demanding reinstatement hurled firebombs at the interior ministry and set several vehicles on fire.