Tehran building collapse: Pray for firefighters

The 17-storey building turned into piles of rubble within seconds after fighting the blaze for more than three hours.

Flames of fire which seemed to be under control at the beginning eventually led to the building’s sudden collapse and unfortunately a number of firefighters, salespersons and other people got trapped in the rubble.

Plasco is a commercial building survived from 1960s with some 600 shopping centers and clothing workshops filled with stacks of clothes which are believed to intensify the fire.

Apparently the building wasn’t equipped with proper fire alarms, fire controlling systems, and safety provisions. Despite repeated warnings issued by fire department it was still operating.

According to the Emergency Medical Services director, Pir-Hossein Kulivand, so far some 51 victims have received outpatient care and 33 hospitalized, of them 28 were discharged.

“Sadly one of the firefighters, Behnam Mirzakhani, who suffered burns up to 60 percent of his body passed away on Friday at the hospital,” Kulivand regretted.

In spite of long ongoing rescue operations the rescue forces and fire fighters have not succeeded in rescuing or finding the missing firefighters yet.

Pictures of shocked firefighters mourning their colleagues after the massive collapse has gone viral on social media and people offer their heartfelt condolences to them and saluting their outstanding bravery.

Tehran City Council member Eqbal Shakeri explained that the fire is still blazing in various parts due to the gasoline widely spreading throughout the huge piles of rubble.

Shakeri went on to say that “the rescue forces are tunneling from the adjacent buildings and have found out where the missing firefighters or people might be.”

The large heap of rubble and thick smoke have made it pretty time consuming and difficult to clear away the debris and searching through it.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/410236/Tehran-building-collapse-Pray-for-firefighters