ISLAMABAD: A report submitted by Capital Rescue has highlighted serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), following the deadly nursery fire that claimed the lives of newborns.
According to the report, the fire emergency was reported at around 6:45am, while fire and rescue teams arrived at the hospital within seven minutes of receiving the alert.
The Capital Emergency Service, along with the Capital Development Authority’s fire department, immediately launched a rescue operation and succeeded in bringing the blaze under control.
The report revealed that PIMS lacked adequate firefighting equipment, while some of the available equipment was also found to be in poor working condition.
Seven newborns had already died by the time rescue personnel reached the nursery, while rescuers managed to evacuate seven other children alive.
The assessment further pointed to serious evacuation problems, stating that all emergency exit routes inside the hospital were blocked. It also alleged that security personnel obstructed rescue workers during the emergency response.
Five-member probe committee formed
Meanwhile, the PIMS administration has constituted a five-member committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Professor Umar Farooq has been appointed chairman of the committee, while Dr Aneesa Jaleel, Dr Mutahir Shah, Dr Saadia Nisar and Dr Sharjeel Zaheer will serve as members.
The committee has been directed to examine the available evidence and submit its findings and recommendations within 48 hours.
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