77 injured as massive fire breaks out at popular downtown Cairo market.

A huge fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at a popular market of street vendors in downtown Cairo, Egypt state TV reported.

The fire, which started at a six-storey hotel in the Attaba area and extended to adjacent buildings including a warehouse, burnt for over eight hours into daylight morning hours.

TV footage showed a sheet of flames leaping from windows of two buildings and dense plumes of smoke shooting into the sky. Some seven hours later, clouds of white smoke continued to be seen as fire fighters sprayed water inside and sirens blared nearby.

No deaths were reported. However, a total of 77 were injured in the fire, many of whom suffered asphyxiation, health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed told state news agency MENA.

Of the injured, 36 were transported to nearby hospitals, while 41 were given medical care at the site.