Old AC blamed, but PIMS fire probe finds no proof

The National Assembly’s health committee has found no conclusive evidence that an old air conditioner caused the deadly fire at

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s health committee has found no conclusive evidence that an old air conditioner caused the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that claimed the lives of 14 newborns.

The committee inspected the hospital on Thursday and questioned officials about the circumstances surrounding the blaze. Members said they received conflicting accounts about the source of the fire and that the available CCTV footage did not establish that the blaze began from the old air-conditioning unit.

Committee Chairman Dr Mahesh Kumar said officials had initially told members that a spark from an old AC had triggered the fire. However, the committee was informed that the unit had not been operational for a considerable period.

He said the executive director of PIMS also acknowledged that the CCTV footage did not clearly show a spark originating from the old AC.

“The source of the fire is not known at this stage,” Kumar said, adding that neither the staff present in the nursery nor the CCTV recordings had established where the initial spark came from.

The committee is now examining other possible causes, including faults in the electrical wiring and oxygen supply system. Kumar said the fire reportedly spread extremely quickly, making the oxygen pipeline an important part of the investigation.

He said investigators needed to determine whether a fault in the oxygen pipeline or an abnormal oxygen concentration contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Electrical wiring and other technical systems in the nursery are also being examined.

The tragedy occurred early Wednesday when a fire erupted on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS. Fifteen newborns were reportedly inside the affected ward. Fourteen babies suffered critical burns and died, while one newborn survived after being rescued.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry and suspended Health Secretary Aslam Ghori.

The parliamentary committee also questioned why the newborn nursery was operating in an older section of the hospital. Kumar said the building dates back decades and argued that newborns should have been accommodated in a newer and better-equipped block.

He said the committee would first obtain answers from hospital officials before determining responsibility. Members have sought information about the condition of the building, safety arrangements and decisions that led to the nursery being located in the older facility.

The committee has also demanded records concerning fire-safety measures, emergency preparedness, electrical inspections and fire alarms. Members want to know when the hospital’s last safety audit and fire drill were conducted, how frequently such drills were held and whether the alarm system was functioning when the fire started.

Questions have also been raised about the staff deployment at the time of the incident. Committee members said they received inconsistent accounts about who was present and on duty when the fire broke out.

Another area of concern is the hospital’s oxygen infrastructure. The committee wants to determine whether any defect in the oxygen pipeline or excessive oxygen concentration could have accelerated the fire.

Members also inspected areas adjoining the nursery, including the kangaroo room, where several mothers and newborns were reportedly present. They said the circumstances surrounding the safety of those children would also form part of the investigation.

Committee member Aliya Kamran called the incident a major institutional failure and demanded the resignation of the PIMS executive director and the federal health minister.

She said accountability should focus on determining why the newborns were exposed to such dangerous conditions and whether adequate precautions could have prevented the deaths.

Dr Mahesh Kumar said the committee would examine CCTV footage, technical systems, staff statements, safety records and the findings of the government’s inquiry before reaching a final conclusion.

He said the parliamentary committee would assess the evidence on merit and determine responsibility after receiving complete answers from the relevant authorities.

The committee also urged National Assembly members, including PTI lawmakers, to participate in its proceedings so that the tragedy could be investigated collectively. Kumar said he would request National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to convene a formal meeting of the committee at the earliest.