A massive fire erupted at a drug rehabilitation center located in Langarud, a city in Gilan province in northern Iran, claiming the lives of at least 27 people, with a dozen more injured, on Friday.
The provincial Chief Justice Esmail Sadeghi reported that “twenty-seven persons have died and 12 others were taken to the hospital after a fire erupted at a drug rehabilitation center in Langarud”
While the immediate cause of the fire remained unclear, an investigation was said to be underway. The rehabilitation center had the capacity to house up to 40 people.
Footage shared by the local ISNA news agency showed the fire illuminating the night sky and sending massive plumes of smoke into the air.
Other images displayed the extensive damage at the site after the fire was contained.
