PIMS Fire: Rescue Teams Arrived Late, Eyewitness Claims
An eyewitness alleges fire brigade teams reached PIMS nearly two hours after the blaze began, conflicting with the authorities’ account of a rapid emergency response.
ISLAMABAD: Conflicting accounts have emerged over the emergency response to Wednesday morning’s deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), after an eyewitness alleged that fire brigade teams arrived nearly two hours after the blaze began.
Eyewitness Alleges Delayed Response
According to the eyewitness, rescue and fire-fighting teams reached the affected area “very late,” claiming that by the time fire brigade personnel arrived, the newborns inside the affected ward had already suffered fatal injuries.
The allegation, however, contrasts sharply with the timeline provided by Islamabad authorities.
Official Timeline Shows Seven-Minute Response
Official accounts say an emergency call concerning the fire at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) facility was received at 6:54 am, after which rescue, police, and administration officials responded to the scene.
Six fire engines and four ambulances were deployed, according to the Islamabad administration.
PIMS officials have said the blaze erupted at around 7am on the third floor of the MCH facility. Fourteen newborns were confirmed dead in reporting citing hospital and administration officials, while at least one infant was rescued.
Investigation to Examine Discrepancy
The significant discrepancy between the eyewitness allegation and the official response timeline raises questions that could form part of the formal investigation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate inquiry, while the Islamabad administration has constituted a committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner General to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Official Records Needed to Establish Timeline
The eyewitness allegation regarding a two-hour delay has not been independently verified.
Establishing the precise timeline — including the initial alert, dispatch of emergency units and their arrival at the affected ward — will require examination of official call logs, dispatch records and other evidence.
