At least fourteen newborn babies have died after a fire swept through a mother and child unit at a large public hospital in Islamabad. The blaze reportedly began when an air-conditioning unit caught fire on the third floor. Many of the fourteen who died were in incubators or receiving oxygen, which can accelerate combustion. Nineteen others, including ten children, were rescued from elsewhere in the hospital. Witnesses described thick smoke, shattered windows and desperate attempts to reach trapped patients, while some alleged that emergency responders were slow to arrive. Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and anger, suspended a senior health official, and ordered an immediate investigation. Islamabad authorities have also established a fact-finding committee required to report within 24 hours. The tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety standards and enforcement in Pakistan, which has had to deal with a number of major fires in recent years, often due to poor safety laws and building codes.