# PIMS hospital fire and subsequent safety audits

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pims-hospital-fire-and-subsequent-safety-audits
> Updated: 2026-08-27T05:59:22.000Z. Sources: 364. Developments: 2.

A fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad killed at least 14 newborns in a maternity ward nursery. The blaze, which occurred on a third-floor ward around 7:00 a.m. local time, may have been caused by a technical failure involving an air conditioning unit or a nebulizer, with high oxygen concentrations potentially accelerating the spread. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal indicated the fire was triggered by an explosion in an air conditioning unit; of the 15 babies in the ward at the time, only one was successfully rescued.

In the aftermath, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation, leading to the establishment of an inquiry committee led by retired federal secretary Shahid Khan and the suspension of Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri. The committee has been tasked with determining if adequate safety protocols were in place and is expected to deliver a report within 24 hours. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has pledged accountability, stating that anyone found negligent will be held responsible.

Investigations by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have since identified critical safety failures, noting that emergency exits and escape routes were found to be “permanently locked or obstructed.” The CDA report also highlighted that fire and life-safety arrangements did not meet standard requirements, suggesting that security staff may have hindered the initial response of fire crews despite hospital officials’ claims that exits were operational.

The tragedy prompted regional authorities in Punjab and Sindh to mandate urgent fire safety audits. In Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed reviews of emergency management and equipment across all government medical centers.

## Claims

- 14 newborn babies died in the fire. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- A high-powered inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the cause of the PIMS fire. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Only one baby was successfully rescued from the nursery. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The fire was caused by an explosion in an air conditioning unit. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The presence of medical oxygen in the room helped the fire spread rapidly. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal offered himself for accountability regarding the PIMS fire. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered an immediate fire safety audit of all government hospitals in the province. (single source)
- The Karachi Municipal Corporation ordered all medical institutions in Karachi to ensure fire safety measures within three days. (single source)
- A fire occurred in the third-floor nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS around 6:38 a. m. on Wednesday. (single source)
- Emergency exits and escape routes at the hospital were found to be permanently locked or obstructed. (single source)
- Fire and life-safety arrangements at the facility were inadequate and did not meet standard requirements. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: PIMS Hospital fire in Islamabad kills 14 newborns

A fire at Islamabad's PIMS hospital killed 14 newborns, reportedly caused by an AC unit explosion. Investigations cite locked emergency exits and inadequate safety measures, prompting national audits.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/islamabad-hospital-fire-kills-14-newborns-1

### 2026-08-25: PIMS Hospital fire in Islamabad kills 14 newborns

At least 14 newborns died in a fire at the PIMS hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Authorities are investigating a suspected air conditioning failure and have suspended the Health Secretary.

358 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-institute-of-medical-sciences-fire-kills-at-least-13-infants

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Cite as: PIMS hospital fire and subsequent safety audits. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pims-hospital-fire-and-subsequent-safety-audits