ISLAMABAD, Aug 27, 2026 — A fire in the newborn nursery of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad killed 14 babies, raising serious questions over fire safety, emergency evacuation procedures and preparedness at Pakistan’s public hospitals.

Officials said 15 newborns were in the nursery when the fire broke out, with only one baby surviving. The government has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident and suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori pending the probe.

The cause of the fire has not yet been conclusively established. An initial report, however, cited a possible electrical short circuit or overloading of a power socket as a potential cause.

Fire Spread Within Minutes

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said preliminary information suggested the fire started at around 6:38 a.m. Staff members reported that a spark may have come from an air-conditioning unit.

According to the minister, CCTV footage showed people beginning to leave the nursery at around 6:39 a.m., but the room was engulfed in flames shortly afterwards.

Two doctors and two senior nurses were reportedly present at the time.

Officials said 14 of the 15 newborns were receiving oxygen, raising concerns that the oxygen supply may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Fire safety experts say oxygen can significantly intensify a fire, particularly in an enclosed medical environment containing combustible materials.

Fire Safety Arrangements Under Scrutiny

A Capital Development Authority (CDA) fire incident report reportedly found shortcomings in PIMS' fire safety and emergency evacuation arrangements.

The report said some emergency exits were closed and alleged that hospital security personnel initially obstructed the fire brigade's response.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said 26 fire extinguishers were used to fight the blaze. He also confirmed that the nursery did not have an automatic sprinkler system.

Experts say hospitals, particularly neonatal intensive care units, require more than portable fire extinguishers. They recommend automatic fire detection systems, smoke alarms, sprinklers, clearly marked emergency exits and regular fire-safety training for staff.

Why Were Emergency Exits Closed?

One of the key questions emerging from the incident concerns the condition of the nursery's emergency exits.

Mustafa Kamal said one of the doors had previously been closed following incidents involving the abduction of newborns from hospitals. A security guard was reportedly stationed at another entrance to control access.

PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar rejected reports that the nursery's door had been locked, saying staff were present and security measures had been introduced to protect newborns from abduction.

Interior Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said the inquiry committee would examine the status of the emergency exits and determine how hospital staff responded when the fire began.

Dispute Over Emergency Response Time

Some eyewitnesses have alleged that emergency teams took too long to reach the affected area.

One eyewitness told AFP that his three-day-old daughter was among those killed and said families were waiting outside for help.

Another witness said thick smoke had filled the building and that people were trapped inside.

Talal Chaudhry rejected claims of a delayed response, saying rescue teams reached the hospital approximately six minutes after the emergency call was received.

He said CCTV footage and other evidence would be examined to establish the exact timeline of the rescue operation.

How Were the Babies Identified?

The identification of the victims also raised questions because of the severity of the fire.

Islamabad police initially said DNA testing might be required to identify the bodies. Authorities later said all 14 bodies had been handed over to their families following identification procedures.

Chaudhry said some babies had identification bands on their wrists, while medical records, age, gender and other information were also used to establish their identities.

He said the handover was carried out after verification by the relevant medical and administrative authorities.

Key Questions for Investigators

The government inquiry is expected to examine several issues, including:

• What caused the fire?
• Were adequate fire-safety systems installed and operational?
• Why were some emergency exits reportedly closed?
• Was an automatic sprinkler system required but absent?
• How quickly did hospital staff respond?
• How long did emergency services take to arrive?
• Did the oxygen supply contribute to the rapid spread of the fire?
• Were fire-safety inspections and emergency drills conducted regularly?

Wider Concerns Over Public Hospital Safety

The PIMS tragedy has intensified concerns over fire-safety standards in Pakistan's public hospitals.

Experts say neonatal nurseries require particularly strong safety measures because newborn patients cannot evacuate themselves. Automatic alarms, sprinkler systems, accessible emergency exits, regular equipment maintenance and staff training are therefore critical.

The final cause of the fire and responsibility for the deaths will depend on the findings of the government inquiry and forensic investigation. Authorities have said CCTV footage, fire reports, hospital records and other evidence will be examined before responsibility is determined.