Fire Strikes NALIS HQ Trinidad, While Scarborough Library Remains Closed After March Blaze

May 19, 2025 – Two National Library buildings are in the spotlight after separate fire incidents in March and May. On May 16, a minor fire broke out at the NALIS headquarters on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. The blaze started on the third floor around 9 p.m., just hours after the library hosted its Asian Nights 2 cultural event featuring Chinese Embassy guests. Fortunately, an MTS officer on duty quickly extinguished the flames with a bucket of water. Fire officers arrived swiftly and inspected the area. No injuries were reported. Meanwhile, in Tobago, the blaze on the top floor of the Scarborough Public Library has forced the facility to remain closed to the public, but its online services remain available. Urgent restoration and repairs are ongoing. No injuries were reported in this blaze either. The Tobago facility is expected to reopen on June 2nd, 2025.