A huge fire gutting the dilapidated building of a furniture factory outside the Egyptian capital, Cairo, has killed at least two dozen people, Press TV reports.

Egypt's Health Ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said Tuesday that at least 24 workers were killed as fire raged through the Al-Helw factory in al-Obour city about 35 kilometers northeast of the capital Cairo.

The huge blaze in the three-story building and its warehouse, which started when a gas cylinder exploded in the area, left 26 more workers injured from burns and smoke inhalation.

A stampede that ensued the fire raised the casualties toll, as workers were trying to flee the fire, that also saw a partial collapse of the factory's building.

Civil defense units said they were able to save 150 workers in the accident.

Officials said rescue workers rushed to the scene to help the victims. Video footage was available on the social media networks showing smoke billowing from the factory.

There was no immediate report on the possibility of the incident being a terrorist act, with pro-government media attributing it to a lack of sufficient safety standards in the factory.