HASLEMERE Fire Station marked the first annual Firefighters’ Memorial Day by unveiling a plaque to commemorate fallen comrades in Iran, who perished in one of the largest single losses of life since 9/11, last Thursday.

When the 17-storey Plasco building in Tehran caught fire in January, 10 fire brigades battled to extinguish the blaze.

The building collapsed, killing 16 firefighters and injuring at least 70 more, 23 seriously.

Haslemere resident Amir Khazanbeik approached the town’s watch commander Matt Oakley to ask if a plaque could be erected at the town’s fire station in memory of his courageous countrymen.

He was delighted when the request was officially approved.

Mr Khazanbeik, his family and fellow Iranians living in the town, gathered for the ceremony, at which flowers were also laid in memory of the Plasco firefighting heroes.

Mr Oakley told The Herald: “As officer in charge in Haslemere, it would be my worst nightmare to have my officers in a fire like the one at Plasco. It’s a sobering thought that our job is quite risky and can be life threatening.”

Amir said: “I would like to thank you all at the fire station for the memorial for Plasco. It wasn’t a tribute just for those firefighters who lost their lives in that tragedy in Iran, but for all your colleagues in the UK and around the world, who sacrificed their lives for rescuing others.

“We are proud of you all.”