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A small fire partially destroyed a section of the National Care and Empowerment Centre (NCEC) in Piparo on Friday afternoon. The blaze, reported around 4:30 p.m. on was first noticed by security officers in the male dormitory’s room one.

The officers used fire extinguishers to contain the flames until the Mon Repo Fire Station team, including Fire Sub Officer Woods and FSO Phillip, arrived. Damage was limited to a small portion of the ceiling, with the value yet to be determined. Officers from T&TEC and the Princes Town Police processed the scene.

The NCEC, launched in October 2024 by the Children’s Authority, provides temporary placement and care for abused children and is located on a 10-acre refurbished compound that formerly belonged to the late drug kingpin Dole Chadee.