Thirty firefighters killed and many injured in Tehran building collapse

Thirty firefighters are reported to have been killed with many people injured when a burning building in the capital of Iran collapsed.

The deaths at the Plasco building, a landmark structure in central Tehran, were announced on state-run Press TV, where 75 people are reported to have been injured including 45 firefighters.

Authorities say some people are trapped inside the rubble of the collapsed building. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The building, which was once the tallest in the city, was constructed in the 1960s and is mostly used for manufacturing purposes.

This firefighter was perilously close to the building as it collapsed in Tehran. Credit: PA

Firefighters battled the fire for several hours before the collapse as police kept out shopkeepers and others wanting to rush back in to collect their valuables.

The building collapsed in a matter of seconds which was broadcast live on state television.

The building collapsed live in state-run TV as firefighters battled the fire. Credit: PA

Jalal Maleki, a fire department spokesman, earlier told Iranian state television that 10 fire stations had responded to the blaze, which was first reported at around 8am local time.