The rraging fire on Friday evening gutted the head office of Fresh FM Nigeria in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying key facilities of two of the city’s most popular radio stations.
The inferno, which broke out during live broadcast operations, swept through the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM, as well as the newsroom, transmitter/server room, and several adjoining offices.
Samson Akindele, Group Head of Corporate Affairs for Fresh FM Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited, confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as “devastating” and a major blow to the media outfit.
“We are sad to inform the general public that the head office of Fresh FM Nigeria, Challenge, Ibadan, was razed by a devastating fire incident this evening.
The studios of Fresh 105.9 and Blast 98.3 were badly burnt, along with the newsroom, transmitter/server room, and several pieces of equipment, during active operations,” the statement read.
Eyewitnesses said staff members and residents initially battled the flames with in-house fire extinguishers, but the effort failed due to the intensity of the blaze.
It took the intervention of officials from the Oyo State Fire Service — assisted by passersby and community members — to bring the situation under control.
Akindele said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and the extent of the loss cannot yet be fully assessed.
“We heartily appreciate all good-spirited Nigerians who joined us in fighting the inferno — from residents around our studio complex who were the first responders, to passersby and officials of the Oyo Fire Service. We deeply value everyone’s assistance during the emergency,” he added.
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