According to sources, the fire broke out at around 6:40am on the third floor of the MCH Ward at PIMS Hospital. Rescue and fire brigade teams were immediately dispatched to the scene after receiving information about the blaze.
According to the district administration, six fire tenders and four ambulances took part in the rescue operation. Firefighters brought the blaze under control, while the affected babies were immediately shifted to the ICU.
Rescue officials said 14 newborn babies were completely burned and died in the incident, while one baby was successfully rescued. A total of 19 people, including women, were also safely evacuated from the building during the rescue operation.
According to details released by PIMS Hospital, the deceased newborns included the child of Javeria, whose father was identified as Samiullah; the child of Alia, whose father was identified as Rashid; and the newborn of Aneesa, whose father was identified as Abdullah.
Rescue sources said the initial cause of the fire was believed to be an air-conditioning compressor explosion. However, officials clarified that the final cause will only be determined after a detailed investigation.
Following the incident, the district administration formed an eight-member inquiry committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner General to investigate the cause of the fire. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 24 hours.
The committee includes the Director General of Capital Emergency Services, SP City Islamabad, Assistant Commissioner Industrial Area, DG Emergency CDA, and representatives from IESCO and PIMS Hospital.
According to the district administration, the inquiry committee will determine the cause of the fire and review the hospital’s fire safety and security arrangements, the response time of rescue teams, and the overall firefighting operation.
Following the incident, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf and Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi also visited PIMS Hospital and reviewed the rescue operation. The IG Islamabad briefed the chief commissioner on the emergency response.
PIMS Executive Director Imran Sikandar said the incident would be investigated from all angles and the actual cause of the fire would be determined.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal also expressed concern over the incident, saying he remained in constant contact with the PIMS administration and relevant authorities. He said that if negligence or carelessness was found to have caused the tragedy, those responsible would not be spared.
The health minister further said that if the investigation established any fault on his part, he too would be held accountable.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of 14 newborn babies in the PIMS Hospital nursery fire.
The prime minister took notice of the incident and ordered an immediate investigation. He directed the relevant authorities to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the fire, determine those responsible and take strict action if negligence was established.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences and sympathy to the bereaved parents and families, saying the loss of innocent children was an irreparable tragedy. He prayed for patience and strength for the bereaved families.
The PIMS Hospital fire has also raised serious questions about fire safety measures and arrangements for protecting newborn babies in hospitals. However, the final cause of the fire and any possible negligence will be determined after the inquiry committee submits its report.
