Pakistani nurse to be honoured for saving newborn from deadly hospital fire

A Pakistani nurse who rescued the sole surviving newborn from a hospital nursery fire that killed 14 other infants will receive one of the country’s most prestigious civil awards.

Fire engulfed Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a major government hospital in Islamabad, on Wednesday. A 51-second segment of CCTV footage, widely circulated online, captures Razia Noreen running into the burning nursery and emerging seconds later with the newborn in her arms. She tries to go back in, but cannot because of the flames and thick smoke.

Noreen told private broadcaster Samaa TV on Sunday, while in tears, that she had merely done her duty.

“I did not do it for a reward. I love children, and caring for them is my passion,” she said, adding that she wanted to save the others, but “the fire spread through the nursery within two minutes”.

Noreen said she was heartbroken she could not save the others as the flames spread too rapidly for her to re-enter the nursery after carrying the first baby to safety, and memories continued to haunt her. “I cannot sleep. Those babies do not let me sleep.”