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Authorities initially said 13 people were dead, but Jalal Maleki, a spokesperson for the Tehran Fire Department, later told state TV that the toll had risen to 19.
State-run IRNA news agency also quoted Maleki as saying the dead included 15 women and four men. Maleki added that firefighters had rescued 20 people.
Video posted online appeared to show more than one explosion and thick black smoke rising from the flames.
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People in nearby Tajrish Bazaar rushed to the scene, impeding a rescue operation, authorities said. Videos on social media showed people gathered outside of the building.
State TV said there could be more explosions because there were a number of oxygen tanks remaining in the medical center.
Witness Marjan Haghighi told The Associated Press that police blocked roads to the neighborhood.