Fire damages Egyptian Interior Ministry

CAIRO, March 22 (UPI) -- Protesters in Cairo Tuesday denied any responsibility for a fire at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry after a daylong demonstration for higher pay, reports say.

Thick smoke and flames billowed from the multistory building as it burned following a peaceful protest outside by thousands of ministry employees, including police officers, CNN reported.

The Egyptian newspaper al-Masry al-Youm said firefighters were battling flames on the upper floors of the ministry.

Protesters told CNN the fire started on the inside of the building.