A fire broke out in a building adjacent to Tehran’s Parsian Esteghlal Hotel on Monday, prompting guests to be evacuated as thick smoke engulfed the area.
Tehran, Iran – Web Desk: A fire broke out on Monday in a building adjacent to the Parsian Esteghlal Hotel in northern Tehran, sending thick columns of black and white smoke over the Iranian capital and prompting the evacuation of hotel guests, according to state media.
Witnesses reported that the towering hotel was engulfed in smoke as flames became visible from the rooftops of nearby buildings. The fire appeared to have started in a structure next to the hotel rather than inside the hotel itself, though the exact nature of the affected building was not immediately confirmed.
A state television correspondent reporting from the scene said hotel guests were being moved out as a precaution to ensure their safety. Officials have not released further details on the total number of people evacuated.
Tehran fire department spokesman Jalal Maleki said, as reported by state news agency IRNA, that the blaze originated in a storage area used by the hotel to keep food supplies, bedding, and other flammable materials. He added that the fire had caused no injuries so far and was under control, with the exact cause to be announced following an expert investigation.
The Parsian Esteghlal Hotel is one of Tehran’s most recognisable landmarks. Originally opened in 1962, it operated for years as the Royal Tehran Hilton before later becoming part of Iran’s state-run Parsian Hotels chain.
Footage aired on Iranian state television showed fire trucks stationed at the site as crews worked to contain the flames, while bystanders gathered nearby to watch the response effort. Authorities have not indicated any suspicion of foul play, and no immediate reports of casualties or injuries have emerged.
Emergency teams remained at the scene as of Monday afternoon, and officials said further updates would follow once the investigation into the cause of the fire is complete. This report will be updated as more verified information becomes available.
