A deadly fire at a shopping center in Tehran, Iran, has claimed more lives, raising fresh concerns over building safety standards.

At least eight people have been confirmed dead and 36 injured after a blaze tore through the Argavan shopping center in the Iranian capital, The Caspian Post reports via Iribnews.

The fire broke out in the Andisheh district of Tehran, spreading rapidly across the building’s exterior. The flames intensified due to highly flammable composite cladding on the facade - a factor that accelerated the disaster.

Emergency services managed to fully evacuate the building, and firefighters have since brought the blaze under control. However, the rising death toll has intensified scrutiny over construction practices.

Iranian prosecutors have ordered the detention of the developer behind the shopping center, launching an investigation to determine responsibility for the incident.