PIMS fire safety arrangements were 'inadequate, compromised', says CDA report

A Capital Development Authority (CDA) report has found the fire and life-safety arrangements at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) "inadequate and compromised" following a deadly blaze in the hospital’s nursery in Islamabad.

According to the CDA Fire Brigade Department’s report, the first fire engine reached the hospital within six minutes after the fire was reported at 6:55am.

The report, however, said firefighters and rescue teams encountered significant difficulties during the operation. It concluded that the hospital’s fire prevention and safety arrangements did not meet prescribed standards.

Tweet by Hamid Mir حامد میر

PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar disputed the findings, saying the hospital had a satisfactory fire safety system and that rescue teams faced no obstacles while dealing with the blaze.

He said 24 oxygen cylinders were present in the nursery at the time of the incident.

Rana Imran said two doctors, four nurses and other staff members were on duty in the intensive care unit when the fire broke out. He added that a female doctor risked her life to rescue one newborn.

The executive director said access to the nursery had been restricted because of previous incidents involving the theft of babies. He said an investigation was under way and anyone found responsible would face strict action.