15-story building collapses in Tehran after blaze

By Abdul-Jabbar Abu Ras

TEHRAN (AA) - A large commercial building collapsed in Iranian capital Tehran on Thursday after being gutted by fire, according to Iran’s official Tasnim news agency.

Tasnim reported that a fire had broken out in the 15-floor Plasco Tower, which is one of central Tehran’s best-known commercial buildings.

"Dozens of firefighters… remain trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building," the news agency reported.

"The fire broke out on the ninth floor of the tower," the agency said, adding that reasons for the blaze "remain unknown".

Tasnim also published photos and videos of the tower’s collapse on its website.

It remains uncertain how many people remain trapped under the rubble of the ill-fated building.