Cairo, March 12 (IANS) At least 20 people were killed and 24 others wounded on Thursday as a massive fire engulfed a four-story clothing factory in Egypt's El Obour city, north of Cairo, according to a statement of the Qalyubia province.

It added that 15 fire engines and 10 ambulances hurried to the scene, including some from the nearby provinces of Cairo and Sharqiya, Xinhua news agency reported.

The fire has been controlled, said the statement, adding that a prosecution team is investigating the cause and a technical team is assessing the damages.

--IANS int/pgh