Plasco Building Collapses
The Plasco building located in central Tehran has collapsed following a fire.
The building caught fire on Thursday morning, 30 Dey (January 19), and Iranian news outlets published images of firefighters’ efforts to extinguish the flames. According to earlier reports, the fire began around 7:30 local time and engulfed the ninth floor and above of the building. Although hours later, the fire department announced that the fire had been extinguished.
Shortly after, some domestic news agencies reported that the fire reignited and the building collapsed.
According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, when the building collapsed, a number of firefighters were inside the structure and may be trapped under the rubble. The Tasnim news agency, citing the country’s Emergency Medical Services, reported that 38 injured people have been transferred to medical centers, most of them firefighters. It stated that rescue and aid operations are ongoing and the numbers may change.
IRIB news agency reported the deaths of thirty firefighters in this incident, but official sources have not confirmed this report. However, given the extent of the fire and the building’s collapse, there is concern about potential casualties from this event. Some other sources have said that information on the status of thirty firefighters is unavailable.
The Plasco building is located on Islambol Street (Istanbul Street) and was considered one of the major clothing distribution centers in Tehran. The presence of flammable materials likely contributed to the spread of the fire.
The fire caused severe traffic congestion on streets in the area, particularly at the intersection of Jomhouri and Ferdowsi streets, and police implemented special traffic restrictions at the site.
The Plasco building or arcade, with seventeen floors, is among the first high-rise buildings in Iran and was completed in 1963.
The building was constructed by Habibollah Elghanian, who was also the builder and owner of another high-rise building called the Aluminum Building. Elghanian, considered one of Iran’s major merchants and industrialists, also served as head of the Society of Iranian Jews. He was arrested days after the revolution and executed several months later by order of Sadegh Khalkhali, the Sharia judge of the Revolutionary Court.
Habibollah Elghanian had founded Iran’s first plastic products manufacturing factory under the name Plasco and the first aluminum profile manufacturing factory in Iran.
Habibollah Elghanian’s assets, including the Plasco building, were confiscated after the revolution and placed under the control of the Foundation for the Oppressed.
Source: BBC
