A fire at a cat shelter in the city of Eshtehard resulted in the death of the founder of the shelter and hundreds of cats. The head of the Eshtehard municipal fire station told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the incident occurred at 6 AM on Saturday, September 7, and Ms. Raoufi, the founder of the shelter, died from "smoke inhalation and suffocation." Ms. Raoufi, 60, had established the shelter in recent years to provide refuge for cats that are abused. While the Eshtehard fire official reported the death of 200 cats in the incident, Ramona Dehghan, the public relations officer of the Eshtehard municipality, told the Tabnak website that "most of the homeless and injured cats that were being cared for in this shelter either burned or died from suffocation." She stated, "This incident occurred at 6 AM in a shelter located 24 kilometers east of Eshtehard, which has been active for years. With the arrival of firefighters at the scene, firefighting efforts began, which faced many difficulties due to the materials used in the structure of this shelter and lasted until 9 AM, unfortunately resulting in the death of the 60-year-old woman present at the shelter." The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Tabnak website reported that "some wildlife activists believe that the incident appears suspicious." This site refers to posts made by several animal rights activists on social media, who have claimed that the fire was "intentional."
Death of One Person and 200 Cats in Fire at Cat Shelter in Eshtehard
A fire at a cat shelter in Eshtehard led to the tragic deaths of its founder, Ms. Raoufi, and around 200 cats. The incident has raised suspicions among animal rights activists who suggest the fire may have been deliberate. This event highlights ongoing concerns regarding animal welfare and potential foul play in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
A fire at a cat shelter in Eshtehard resulted in the tragic deaths of its founder, Ms. Raoufi, and approximately 200 cats. The cause of the fire is under investigation, with some activists suggesting it may have been intentional.
- The fire occurred at 6 AM on September 7.
- Ms. Raoufi died from smoke inhalation and suffocation.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Animal welfare is a growing concern in Iran, where activists often face challenges in advocating for better treatment of animals. This incident highlights the risks faced by those involved in animal rescue efforts.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%