Fire at Shariati Hospital in Tehran 'brought under control'

Following a fire in the basement of Shariati Hospital in Tehran, patients were evacuated from the ward. The spokesperson for Tehran Fire Department announced on Thursday evening, July 18, that the fire occurred in the basement level of the hospital and in one room, with relatively heavy smoke spreading through the floors. Jalal Maleki stated that the source of the fire was a telecommunications room on the ground floor of one of the hospital's buildings, which was completely engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading to other sections. However, timely action by firefighters prevented the spread of the fire, and shortly thereafter, the fire was completely extinguished. Mr. Maleki further accused the officials of Shariati Hospital of neglecting fire department recommendations and warnings, stating that this center had been inspected for safety several times before, and safety deficiencies had been reported to its managers, who unfortunately did not pay much attention to it. According to Tehran Fire Department, this incident did not result in any casualties, and no report of financial damage to the hospital has been transmitted.