Rapid Response: Lessons on high-rise risk factors from Iran firefighter tragedy

Fire Chief

By Dalan Zartman

What happened: Two hundred firefighters from 10 fire stations (estimated) responded to reports of a structure fire at the iconic Plasco building Thursday morning in Tehran, Iran. The 17-story Plasco building was constructed in the 1960s and was once Tehran’s tallest structure. It was designed as a multipurpose structure providing retail, commercial and residential space.

Initial reports state that the fire began on the ninth floor and spread rapidly. Firefighters were confronted initially with significant life safety challenges in evacuating the occupants while battling the rapidly expanding fire.

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