Tehran’s iconic Plasco building has collapsed as firefighters battled a blaze inside.<br /><br /> Iranian state television reports at least 30 firefighters have died and dozens of people were injured. Its feared a number of rescue workers may still be trapped under the rubble.<br /><br /> Between 150 and 200 people are reported to have been inside the tower at the time of the collapse.<br /><br /> Buildings in the surrounding area have been evacuated.<br /><br /> The burning of #plasco passage at the #Tehran pic.twitter.com/YaKTnJpnea— Kaveh Dehpouyad (@DehpouyadKawe) January 19, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> The blaze is believed to have started on the ninth floor.<br /><br /> Firefighters reportedly fought to control the blaze for hours before the 17-storey building started to crumble. It then toppled to the ground in a matter of seconds.<br /><br /> According to fire department spokesperson Jalal Maleki, ten stations responded to the blaze.<br /><br /> Plasco building in central Tehran, looked like this for anyone who hadn't been: pic:eyeontehran #پلاسکو #Tehran #تهران #آتش_نشانان pic.twitter.com/49dzGuUmiw— Soraya Lennie (@soraya_lennie) January 19, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> Plasco tower<br /><br /> Built in the early 1960s, the Plasco tower stood close to the British and Turkish embassies, in the south of the city. Both have reportedly been evacuated.<br /><br /> Plasco housed 400 shops and businesses at the time of the collapse.<br /><br /> Its owner, Habib Elghanian, named it after his plastics manufacturing company. At the time of construction, it was the tallest building in the Iranian capital.<br /><br /> The Iranian Jewish businessman was later tried on charges including espionage and was executed in the months following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.<br /><br /> The movement brought the current ruling system to power, prompting many in the longstanding Jewish community to flee.<br />
