According to local news reports, a massive fire has torn through the city of Qazvin, north Iran. The blast is suspected by some to be nuclear in origin and high numbers of casualties are expected.
As many as 50 people could have been injured or killed in the city which is a commercial hub. While initial reports say that there was an explosion in a chipboard and oil storage facility, this report was denied by local authorities.
A cloud of smoke has covered the city and so far, according to the semi-official Fars news agency, people within a two kilometer radius have been evacuated.
Qazvin used to be the ancient capital of Persia and today is home to 1.1 million people.
Can you update us on this explosion? Thanks.