Fifty people were killed in a massive fire that engulfed a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq, the state news agency INA reported Thursday, citing the province's governor.

Videos circulating on social media showed flames consuming a five-storey building overnight while firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the governor promised initial investigation results within 48 hours.

"We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall," the governor stated according to INA. Reuters could not independently verify the social media footage showing the devastating fire that claimed dozens of lives in the eastern Iraqi city.