ISLAMABAD: At least 15 newborn infants died after a fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) early on Wednesday.
According to hospital and rescue officials, 16 newborns were in the nursery when the fire erupted at around 7am. One infant was rescued by a duty doctor, while the remaining 15 died in the blaze.
Rescue officials said the fire appeared to have started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery. The cause has not yet been formally established, and an investigation is expected to determine whether a technical fault triggered the fire.
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Thick smoke quickly filled the nursery, making rescue efforts difficult. Firefighters and emergency teams reached the hospital, brought the blaze under control and carried out cooling operations.
The fire also raised concerns in nearby wards, prompting authorities to carry out safety checks and ensure that the blaze had not spread.
Authorities have ordered an inquiry to determine what caused the fire and examine the hospital’s emergency response.
The situation remains under investigation, and further details are expected.
