‘Vast vegetation cover increases wildfire risk during summer’

TEHRAN – Given that heavy rainfall saturated the country over the past few months, plant and vegetation cover has been expanded which seems to be vulnerable to temperature rise, so wildfire risk increases during this summer (starting on May 22), said Tehran’s department of environment deputy director for technical affairs.

Fire incurs $1.3 million loss to historic bazaar of Tabriz

TEHRAN – A blaze which erupted late on Wednesday at the historic bazaar of Tabriz, northwest Iran, is estimated to have caused about 200 billion rials ($1.33 million) to the UNESCO-registered site.

Historic bazaar of Tabriz sustains blaze thanks to regular restorations: tourism official

TEHRAN – Historic bazaar of Tabriz in Iran’s East Azarbaijan province could sustain a blaze, which erupted around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, a fortune that provincial tourism chief attributes to rounds of previous restoration work on the UNESCO-tagged marketplace.

Huge fire breaks out in Paris' Famous Notre Dame

A massive fire broke out on April 15, 2019, at Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the most visited landmarks in the world. Police said the fire is possibly linked to a renovation project that was underway at the church's spire.

Chaharshanbeh-Suri: A reddish salute to new Iranian year

As every last Tuesday of the Iranian calendar year comes, millions of Iranians make bonfires at sunset to jump over the fire till midnight to observe Chaharshanbe-Suri, just days before Noruz, the New Year holidays.

60,000 Tehrani teachers to join fire safety training course

TEHRAN – Some 60,000 teachers in Tehran will be provided with fire safety training course to promote proper safety procedures while on duty in the next Iranian calendar year (March 2019-March 2020), head of Tehran Fire Stations and Safety Services Organization affiliated to Tehran Municipality has said.

Schools to be equipped with standard heating systems: official 

TEHRAN — Approximately 90,000 classes nationwide don’t have standard heating systems, deputy director of schools renovation, development and equipment organization said, adding the classes are to be equipped within the next one to two years.

Fire causes damage to Sari historical mosque

TEHRAN – The historical mosque of Sari, the capital of northern Mazandaran province, is not totally brought down to earth despite being on a massive fire for hours on Thursday.

Teahouse arson attack in Ahwaz leaves 11 killed, 6 injured

TEHRAN — An arson attack on a teahouse in the city of Ahwaz, southwestern Iran, killed 11 and injured 6 others, including three firemen, Mehr news agency reported on Tuesday.

Chaharshanbeh-Suri: Iran’s festival of fire

TEHRAN – This evening, millions of Iranians will make bonfires at sunset and jump over the fire till midnight to observe Chaharshanbe-Suri, a week before Noruz, the New Year holidays.

Sadeh: Zoroastrian reverence for mid-winter

TEHRAN – This evening flocks of Iranian Zoroastrians come together to observe Sadeh festival, a time-honored celebration of mid-winter which this year falls on January 30.

By Mahnaz Abdi

Rag-Sefid still burning despite killing operations

A blowout occurs at Rag-Sefid offshore oilfield in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan Province on October 29. The accident happened when drilling operation was ongoing in depth of 2,403 meters in the well No. 147 of the field. It burnt the drilling rig and killed two persons working for the National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC).

Fire at Tehran oil refinery kills six people

TEHRAN – A fire killed six workers and injured three others at an oil refinery in Tehran’s Shar-e Rey district on Friday, media reported.

Foreign Ministry condoles with Portugal over lethal blaze

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over a recent deadly blaze in Portugal and condoled with the families of the victims.

Dozens killed as forest fire rages in central Portugal

A forest fire that engulfed villages in central Portugal has killed at least 57 people, trapping most of the victims in their cars, a government official said on Sunday.

Chaharshanbeh-Suri: A fiery salute to New Year

TEHRAN – Amongst final preparations to salute the Iranian New Year, people observe Chaharshanbeh-Suri, a deeply-rooted-in-time ceremony that, according to tradition, is a bid to ward off all the misfortunes and bad omens, hoping that wishes will come true.

Sadeh: Zoroastrians celebrate ancient winter festival

TEHRAN - Like every year, nationwide assemblies of Iranian Zoroastrians held the time-honored Sadeh Festival late on Jan. 29. According to a tradition, the followers of Zoroastrian faith celebrate the passing of winter by kindling bonfires.

Plasco tragedy - Day 6: 11,000 tons of debris removed, 6 bodies discovered

TEHRAN — After six days of continuous rescue operation following to the inferno in Plasco building some 11,000 tons of debris have been removed and six bodies found so far.

Govt. pledges support for Plasco victims

TEHRAN — Three days after Plasco building’s deadly collapse in Tehran the government has pledged to provide support for families who either lost their loved ones or their jobs and money in the incident.