Story highlights More than 20 firefighters killed in the building collapse, Tehran mayor says -- report

The Plasco building was home to garment manufacturers and other businesses

Tehran (CNN) More than 20 firefighters were killed in Tehran on Thursday when a multi-story building collapsed as they were battling a blaze, the city's mayor told Iranian state TV channel.

"Our colleagues in the fire department have lost their lives while trying to save the people in the fire," Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf told the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network.

Earlier Thursday, Tehran's fire department spokesman Jalal Maleki told IRINN an estimated 20 to 30 firefighters were on the third floor of the high-rise Plasco building when it collapsed.

Maleki also told a local journalist at the scene that 35 firefighters were missing and that rescue workers were trying to dig them out.

The cause of the building fire and collapse is being investigated, he added.

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