164 fire incidences reported across Tehran

Tehran fire department announced that 164 fire incidences have been reported so far on Tuesday night across Tehran. Mehr news agency reported 45 open fires, 25 trashcan fires and 41 residential fires in the city.

31 cases of waste material set on fire, 8 fires in the vicinity of stores and 13 vehicles set on fire were also amongst the reported incidents tonight.

So far no fatalities have been reported; however, head of Tehran emergency services reported 45 fire victims have been attended to by emergency crews, 32 of which have been hospitalized.

Reportedly one fire fighter was injured and two emergency vehicles damaged tonight during relief and rescue operations.

There have also been unofficial reports regarding conflict between police and protesters which have not been confirmed yet.

Widespread deployment of security personnel across Tehran

Tehran Security authorities announced that police forces have been deployed all across Tehran to ensure the security of the city adding that the number of deployed forces will increase in the coming hours.

The heavy security measures are “a preventive act in anticipation of disturbers of public peace and order in the events of the last Wednesday Eve of the year,” according to the authorities.

Yesterday the police department issued a statement to warn that “offenders” will face harsh confrontation.

The deputy commander of the police force announced: “The police has no issues with the events of the last Wednesday Eve of the year. Only those causing disturbance for others” will be confronted.

The authorities urge people to celebrate the occasion only with their own family and in front of their own door.

On the last Wednesday Eve of the Iranian year which begins on March 21, people usually go out at sundown, light bonfires in their neighbourhood and leap over it. Lines chanted during these activities call for the ill health and bad omens of the passing year to burn in the fire and the strength and good health of the fire to be carried into the New Year.

There have been reports that some of the recent election protesters have announced that they intend to use the occasion to further express their protests against the government which they claim has seized power through election fraud.

The police force in conjunction with the Revolutionary Guards and Basij Militia has established a common headquarters in order to handle the possible unrest.

Motorcycle traffic is also restricted in the city today, according to Tehran Police Department.

Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader said earlier that the events of the last Wednesday Eve of the year cause “great harm and corruption.”

The event called Chaharshanbeh Souri goes back to Iran’s pagan history long before the introduction of Islam in Iran. Iranians have observed the customs of this occasion for close to four thousand years.

In addition to Tehran, Esfahan, Mashad Shiraz and other major cities are experiencing a heavy deployment of security forces today.