Local fire official says gas leak likely caused blast that ripped through residential building in Iranian port city.

An explosion that hit a building in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday was caused by a gas leak, according to a preliminary assessment, the local head of the fire department said.

Investigators say a chemical explosion at the Langeloth Metallurgical plant happened during a routine transfer of chemicals inside the facility.

Utilities in the building have been shut down, and 148 units are vacated, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a briefing.