15 newborns killed in fire at Islamabad hospital — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 15 newborns died after a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, officials said on Wednesday. Geo News, citing PIMS officials, reported that 16 newborns were in the nursery when the fire broke out. Only one was rescued. Rescue officials said the fire started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery on the third floor of the MCH ward. The blaze was later extinguished, while rescue teams carried out cooling operations at the site. According to the district administration, 14 children were completely burnt in the fire. Rescue teams reached the hospital shortly after receiving the alert. Six fire engines and four ambulances took part in the rescue operation, the district administration said. An inquiry committee, headed by the additional deputy commissioner, has been formed to investigate the incident. The committee will determine the cause of the fire and establish how the incident occurred, the administration said.