PIMS fire safety lapses exposed after newborn deaths

PIMS fire safety lapses exposed after newborn deaths

ISLAMABAD: Serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have emerged following a devastating fire in the hospital’s nursery that killed 15 newborn babies.

Rescue officials said the hospital’s firefighting arrangements were severely inadequate. According to rescue sources, the fire hoses lacked proper couplings, while no water was available at the designated fire points. Emergency evacuation routes also remained locked, creating additional risks for patients and staff during the incident.

Rescue sources further revealed that no doctor, ward attendant or other staff member was present inside the incubation centre when the fire broke out, raising serious questions about the level of supervision and emergency preparedness in the neonatal unit.

The fire erupted at around 6:45am on Wednesday in the nursery of the gynaecology ward. Rescue officials said an air-conditioning compressor reportedly exploded and triggered the blaze. Firefighters brought the flames under control, while cooling operations continued afterward.

Hospital authorities said 16 newborns were inside the nursery when the fire started. A female doctor managed to rescue one baby, while the remaining 15 infants died in the incident.

The tragedy has prompted an investigation into both the cause of the fire and the hospital’s emergency response. The administration has formed an eight-member inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, to determine how the fire started and examine the circumstances that led to the deaths.

The revelations about locked evacuation routes, inadequate firefighting equipment and the absence of staff in the incubation centre have intensified concerns over safety standards at one of Islamabad’s major public hospitals. The inquiry committee is expected to establish responsibility and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.