At least 15 newborn babies were killed after a devastating fire broke out inside a state-run hospital in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Wednesday, with an air-conditioning system fault suspected to have triggered the blaze. The tragedy occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), one of the country’s major public healthcare facilities.
Fire Erupts Inside Hospital Nursery
The fire reportedly broke out in the gynaecology ward of PIMS, where newborn babies were being cared for. According to reports citing local broadcaster Geo TV, 16 newborns were present in the ward when the blaze erupted. Only one baby was reportedly rescued, while at least 15 others died.
The incident unfolded in the Pakistani capital during the morning, sending emergency teams rushing to the hospital. The fire was reported to have started roughly two hours before initial reports emerged, while rescue personnel continued operations at the facility.
The tragedy has sparked shock and concern because the victims were newborn children who were particularly vulnerable and dependent entirely on hospital staff for their safety and care.
AC Compressor Explosion Suspected
Initial information indicates that a fault in the hospital’s air-conditioning system may have been responsible for the fire. Rescue sources cited by Pakistani media reportedly said an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery, triggering the blaze.
However, authorities have not yet established a final cause, and an investigation is underway. The district administration has formed an inquiry committee headed by an additional deputy commissioner to determine exactly how the fire started and whether any safety failures contributed to the deaths.
The inquiry is expected to examine the condition of the electrical and air-conditioning systems, emergency response arrangements and other safety measures inside the hospital.
Rescue Teams Rushed to PIMS
Emergency responders were deployed soon after the fire was reported. According to the Islamabad district administration, six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were involved in the rescue operation.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, following which cooling operations were conducted at the affected section of the hospital. Rescue personnel also worked to secure the area and assess the damage caused by the intense fire.
The authorities’ immediate focus remained on containing the fire, preventing further spread and ensuring that other patients and hospital staff were not placed at additional risk.
14 Children Reportedly Burnt in Fire
Information released by the district administration indicated that the fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward. Officials said 14 children were completely burnt in the blaze, while reports separately stated that at least 15 newborns had died.
The differing details underline that the incident was still developing when the first reports emerged. Further official clarification is expected as investigators assess the scene and authorities verify the casualty figures.
Investigation Ordered Into Hospital Fire
An inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident. The committee, headed by an additional deputy commissioner, will examine the cause of the fire and determine how the situation developed inside the neonatal area.
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The investigation could also bring renewed attention to fire safety standards in hospitals, particularly in sensitive areas such as nurseries and neonatal wards where patients cannot evacuate independently.
Hospitals require specialised emergency systems because newborns and critically ill patients often cannot be moved quickly during a fire or other emergency. The Islamabad incident is therefore likely to prompt questions about evacuation procedures, fire detection systems, emergency exits and the maintenance of critical infrastructure.
Tragedy Raises Serious Safety Concerns
The deaths have cast a grim spotlight on safety preparedness at public hospitals. While the precise circumstances remain under investigation, the reported involvement of an air-conditioning compressor raises concerns about the maintenance of essential electrical and cooling equipment in healthcare facilities.
For families, the incident has been especially devastating. Newborn children inside a hospital are among the most vulnerable patients, and the loss of multiple infants in a single incident represents a profound tragedy.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the investigation progresses. The final inquiry could establish whether the fire resulted solely from an equipment failure or whether other factors contributed to its rapid spread and the inability to evacuate all the newborns.
The Islamabad hospital fire remains a developing story, with officials expected to release further details regarding the exact circumstances, casualty figures and findings of the investigation.
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