At least 15 infants die in Pims gynae ward's nursery fire: officials

• Nursery housed 16 newborns at time of incident: officials.
• Inquiry committee formed to determine cause of fire.
• Fire started after an AC compressor exploded: sources.

ISLAMABAD: At least 15 infants died after a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), officials said on Wednesday.

According to Pims officials, the nursery housed 16 newborns at the time of the incident, of whom only one was rescued.

Rescue sources said the fire started at 6:45am after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery at the hospital situated in the federal capital.

According to the district administration, 14 children were completely burnt in the fire that broke out on the third floor of the MCH ward.

According to the district administration, 14 children were completely burnt in the fire that broke out on the third floor of the MCH ward.

Rescue teams reached the site immediately after receiving information, the district administration said, adding that six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances took part in the rescue operations.

An inquiry committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the additional deputy commissioner to investigate the incident.

The committee would determine the cause of the fire and ascertain how the incident occurred, the district administration said.

The MCH ward was sealed after the incident, while parents alleged that staff were not present in the incubation centre when the fire broke out.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and called for strict action against those found responsible for the tragedy.

Expressed grief over the deaths, the prime minister said that such a situation involving children was "irreparable".

PM Shehbaz directed authorities to conduct a detailed review of the factors behind the incident and determine responsibility.

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the premier said that he shared "the grief of the parents".

PM Shehbaz later chaired a high-level meeting over the Pims nursery fire, expressing strong displeasure with relevant officials.

During the meeting, the prime minister ordered the immediate suspension and removal of Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori from his post.

'Fire spread quickly'

Speaking to Geo News, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that the death of 14 children has been confirmed so far in the fire.

According to the minister, the director general of health and the hospital secretary were present at the hospital.

"I am in Karachi and travelling to Islamabad, he said, adding that relevant authorities were in contact with the parents.

"The fire spread very quickly, and the hospital's electricity also went out immediately with the explosion," Kamal said.

According to the health minister, Pims executive director was present at the site and remained in continuous contact with him.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the fire was caused by a short circuit, adding that most children died from suffocation.

According to Chaudhry, doctors, nurses and other staff were present during the incident and remained safe.

He said that the fire spread because of gas lines and plastic instruments inside the hospital, adding that oxygen supply also contributed to the spread of the fire.

Meanwhile, the district administration has formed an eight-member inquiry committee to investigate the fire.

The administration issued a formal notification for the committee, which will be headed by the additional deputy commissioner general.

The committee includes the Capital Emergency Services director general and the Superintendent of Police City, along with the I-9 assistant commissioner and a Capital Development Authority (CDA) director general.

Officials from Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) and Pims have also been included in the inquiry committee.

The committee will investigate the incident and submit its report within 24 hours, according to the district administration.

'Inadequate fire safety arrangements'

Rescue sources described fire safety arrangements at the medical facility as extremely inadequate.

According to rescue sources, there was no water at the fire point, while couplings were missing from the fire hose.

The sources further said that emergency evacuation routes had been locked, raising concerns over the hospital's preparedness for emergencies.

Rescue sources said no doctors, ward boys or other staff were present in the incubation centre when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, sources said that PM Shehbaz summoned an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister's Office over the fire incident.

All relevant officials and heads of concerned institutions have been called to attend the meeting, according to sources.

Sources said the meeting will determine those responsible for the fire incident.

Pims Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar said that two doctors, four nurses and other staff were present in the intensive care unit (ICU) when the fire occurred.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Sikandar said that one doctor managed to save a newborn during the incident.

He said hospital entry had previously been restricted because of incidents involving child theft in the past.

According to the Pims executive director, the hospital had a satisfactory fire safety system in place.

He added that 24 oxygen cylinders were present at the hospital and the rescue team faced no obstruction during its operations.

Sikandar vowed that action would be taken if anyone was found responsible for the incident.

Condolences pour in

Political leaders expressed grief over the fire that claimed the lives of at least 15 infants at Pims.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he was "deeply saddened" by the tragic incident and expressed solidarity with the parents in their grief.

He prayed for strength and patience for the bereaved parents to bear the "irreparable loss".

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the incident as an "extremely heartbreaking and tragic event", saying all sympathies were with the grieving families.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also expressed condolences over the loss of lives, describing news of the children's deaths as "sad and heart-wrenching".

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the deaths of innocent children were "extremely painful and distressing".

She directed that the presence and functionality of firefighting equipment be ensured in all hospitals.

The British High Commission described the incident as "heartbreaking", adding that its sympathies were with the children's parents during the difficult time.