Quick Answer
A fire broke out in the newborn nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS Islamabad at around 6:38am on August 26, 2026, killing 14 babies. According to the hospital’s preliminary report and CCTV footage described by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, a spark came from an air conditioner before the flames spread rapidly around oxygen points connected to the incubators. One baby was rescued from the nursery. The government has formed inquiry committees to establish the final cause and determine whether negligence contributed to the deaths.
PIMS Hospital Fire at a Glance
Information | Details |
|---|---|
Hospital | Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences |
Building | Mother and Child Hospital |
Location | Islamabad |
Date | August 26, 2026 |
Reported Time | Around 6:38am |
Location Inside Hospital | Newborn nursery on the third floor |
Babies in Nursery | 15 |
Deaths | 14 newborn babies |
Baby Rescued | One |
Preliminary Cause | Spark from an air conditioner |
Factor in Rapid Spread | Oxygen points near incubators |
Investigation | Inquiry and fact-finding committees formed |
Fire Breaks Out in PIMS Newborn Nursery
Fourteen newborn babies died after a fire erupted in the nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.
The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning. According to the Islamabad administration, the fire started on the third floor of the hospital building.
PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told Dawn that 15 babies were inside the nursery. A doctor managed to save one baby, while the other 14 died in the blaze.
When Did the Fire Start?
The hospital’s preliminary report placed the start of the fire at approximately 6:38am.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said CCTV footage showed a spark coming from an air conditioner inside the nursery. He said a fireball could then be seen falling onto the floor.
Within about one minute, the flames had engulfed the room. At approximately 6:39am, a large blast reportedly occurred and parts of the ceiling collapsed.
The AC spark remains the initial explanation. The final cause will be determined by the official investigation.
How Did the Fire Spread So Quickly?
The nursery had oxygen points installed near the incubators. According to Mustafa Kamal, 14 of the 15 babies appeared to be connected to oxygen tubes at the time.
The preliminary assessment suggests that the oxygen intensified the flames and caused the fire to spread within seconds.
Oxygen does not burn on its own, but it can make other materials catch fire more easily and burn more intensely. Investigators will need to examine the oxygen system, electrical equipment and condition of the air conditioner before reaching a final conclusion.
What Happened During the First Minute?
The hospital provided the following initial sequence:
A spark appeared inside the nursery at approximately 6:38am.
CCTV footage reportedly showed a fireball falling from the air conditioner.
Two doctors and two nurses responded and called security staff.
The flames spread rapidly around the oxygen points.
Staff attempted to enter the nursery and rescue the babies.
A blast occurred at approximately 6:39am.
Parts of the ceiling collapsed, making access more difficult.
This timeline comes from the preliminary hospital account and may be updated after investigators review the CCTV footage, equipment and witness statements.
Deaths and Rescue Operation
Fourteen babies died inside the nursery. The Islamabad administration stated that the victims were severely burnt.
According to PIMS, staff rescued:
One baby from the affected nursery
Four babies from an adjacent room
Three mothers
Seventy-three patients from the nearby gynaecology ward
The Islamabad administration said six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances took part in the emergency operation.
Footage from the scene showed rescue workers using ladders to reach broken windows. People inside the building also reportedly smashed windows as thick smoke filled the affected area.
Hospital Explains Its Emergency Response
PIMS said two doctors and two nurses who were on duty responded immediately after the fire began. Security staff joined them and reportedly attempted to enter the nursery twice.
The hospital said the blast and falling ceiling prevented further access to the room.
PIMS also stated that 35 fire extinguishers were available and used by staff. Mustafa Kamal separately referred to 26 extinguishers while speaking to reporters.
The difference between these figures will require clarification through the investigation. The inquiry must also determine whether the available equipment was functional and suitable for a fire involving electrical equipment and oxygen supplies.
Families Allege Rescue Teams Arrived Late
Several bereaved parents and witnesses disputed parts of the official account.
Khurram Mehmood, who lost his three-day-old daughter, told AFP that rescue teams and authorities arrived hours after the fire began. He said people at the hospital initially tried to help themselves.
Jaweria, another mother who lost her newborn, also alleged that the emergency response was delayed. She demanded justice and questioned why the babies could not be removed from the nursery.
Other witnesses described thick black smoke and said they broke windows while trying to reach trapped patients.
These are witness accounts. The exact arrival times of the fire brigade, ambulances and police have not yet been established through the final inquiry.
Dispute Over Locked Doors
Some witnesses alleged that doors leading to or from the affected area were locked during the fire.
Mudasir, a parent who lost his child, claimed that all but one of the ward’s doors were closed. Another witness, Alam Zaib, said he tried to enter the affected area but found the door locked.
PIMS rejected these claims in a statement. The hospital said all emergency exits were open and operational.
Mustafa Kamal explained that access to the newborn ward was controlled and monitored by a guard because of previous cases involving the theft of babies.
The inquiry committee will need to examine CCTV footage, door controls and staff statements to determine whether restricted access delayed the rescue operation.
Questions Raised About Fire Safety
Reporters questioned Mustafa Kamal about fire-safety notices reportedly issued to PIMS during the previous eight years.
The minister said the hospital had complied each time it received a notice. He also said extinguishers were available and used during the incident.
However, the number of extinguishers alone cannot establish whether the hospital had an effective fire-safety system. Investigators will need to inspect:
Fire alarms
Smoke detectors
Emergency exits
Electrical wiring
Air-conditioning equipment
Oxygen supply points
Fire extinguishers
Staff emergency training
Evacuation procedures
Maintenance and inspection records
The investigation must also examine whether renovation work in the building affected safety or access. A relative of one patient told Dawn that repair and renovation work was underway at the time.
No official finding has yet connected that work to the fire.
Mustafa Kamal Promises Accountability
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal travelled from Karachi to Islamabad after the tragedy.
Speaking to reporters, he said no person found responsible for negligence would be protected. He added that he was willing to present himself for accountability.
Kamal said experts and different institutions were examining the incident. He promised that the facts would be brought forward and any identified safety failures would be addressed.
He also acknowledged that PIMS faces wider challenges. According to the minister, the hospital was originally designed to handle between 200 and 300 outpatient visits but now receives more than 9,000 people.
This workload provides background about pressure on the hospital but does not explain the cause of the nursery fire.
Prime Minister Orders a Full Investigation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and expressed grief over the deaths.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, he offered condolences to the affected families and described the loss of children as unbearable.
The prime minister ordered authorities to examine the circumstances leading to the fire, identify those responsible and take strict action if negligence is established.
Federal Health Secretary Removed
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended and removed Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri during a high-level meeting about the incident.
The Cabinet Secretariat later appointed Captain (retd) Muhammad Mahmood, a BS-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, as federal health secretary.
His appointment is for three months or until a regular officeholder is posted.
The secretary’s removal was an administrative decision following the tragedy. It should not be treated as a final finding of personal responsibility before the investigation is completed.
Two Committees Investigating the Fire
A high-level inquiry committee headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan has started investigating the incident.
A separate seven-member fact-finding committee has also been constituted.
The investigation is expected to examine:
The exact source of the initial spark
The condition of the air conditioner
The role of oxygen points in spreading the flames
Maintenance of electrical and medical equipment
Fire alarms and firefighting arrangements
Accessibility of doors and emergency exits
Emergency response times
Actions taken by doctors, nurses and security staff
Earlier fire-safety notices
Possible administrative or operational negligence
The committees’ final findings had not been released at the time of reporting.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Under Investigation?
Confirmed Information
The fire occurred in the PIMS newborn nursery.
It started at around 6:38am on August 26, 2026.
Fifteen babies were present in the nursery.
Fourteen newborn babies died.
One baby was rescued from the nursery.
Other patients were evacuated from nearby rooms and wards.
The federal health secretary was removed.
Two investigation panels were formed.
Preliminary or Disputed Information
An air-conditioner spark was the source of the fire.
Oxygen points caused the flames to spread rapidly.
Rescue services arrived late.
Doors or emergency exits were locked.
All fire-safety equipment was functional.
Renovation work had any connection to the incident.
These points require confirmation through the final inquiry report.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the PIMS hospital fire occur?
The fire broke out at around 6:38am on August 26, 2026.
Where did the fire start?
It started in the newborn nursery on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS Islamabad.
How many babies died?
Fourteen newborn babies lost their lives.
How many babies were inside the nursery?
According to the PIMS spokesperson, 15 babies were present. One was rescued.
What caused the fire?
The preliminary report points to a spark from an air conditioner. The exact cause has not yet been established by the inquiry committee.
Why did the fire spread rapidly?
Officials believe oxygen points near the incubators intensified the flames. Investigators are examining the oxygen system and surrounding equipment.
Were other patients rescued?
PIMS said four babies from an adjacent room, three mothers and 73 patients from the nearby gynaecology ward were evacuated.
Were the emergency exits locked?
Some witnesses alleged that doors were locked, while PIMS said all emergency exits were open and operational. The investigation will determine what happened.
Who is investigating the incident?
A high-level committee headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan and a separate seven-member fact-finding committee are examining the fire.
Was any official removed?
Yes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended and removed Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri.
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Category: News
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Author: Rabia
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