Fire breaks out at gas plant in eastern Iran

TEHRAN

A fire broke out at a gas plant in eastern Iran on Monday followed by an explosion in the area, according to Iranian media.

The incident took place at a gas condensate plant in the Kavian Fariman industrial zone in the Razavi Khorasan province, state-run television reported.

The fire was brought under control without it spreading to surrounding factories, it said.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Multiple fires incidents have been reported in various parts of Iran in recent weeks, sparking speculation.

On June 26, an explosion was reported near the Parchin military site in the northeast part of the capital Tehran due to "a gas tank explosion," said officials. No casualties were reported.

Four days later, on June 30, a massive explosion damaged a clinic in Tajrish, northern Tehran, killing 19 people. Authorities said the incident was due to a gas leak.

This was followed by an incident at the Natanz nuclear facility, 155 miles south of Tehran in the Isfahan province, on July 2, which damaged an "industrial shed" close to the main facility.

On July 4, a fire broke out at a power station in the city of Ahwaz in southwestern Iran. The blaze affected an electricity transformer and was swiftly put out by firefighters, officials said.

These strikingly similar incidents in recent weeks triggered speculation in Iran as to their causes, with some blaming foreign countries.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz