A devastating fire has gutted the headquarters of Fresh FM Nigeria, a popular radio station founded by musician and broadcaster Yinka Ayefele, leaving significant damage to key broadcast facilities in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The fire broke out on Friday evening around 7:30 p.m. at the Fresh FM complex in the Challenge area of the city, engulfing studios, the newsroom, the transmitter/server room, and other vital equipment. The incident also affected Blast 98.3 FM, one of the sister stations housed in the same building.
Confirming the incident, Samson Akindele, Group Head of Corporate Affairs for Fresh FM, described the extent of destruction as “severe,” though no lives were lost. He added that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
“We heartily appreciate every good-spirited Nigerian who joined us in fighting the fire. From residents around our studio complex who were the first responders, to passersby and the officials of the Oyo Fire Service, we thank everyone for their assistance during the emergency,” Mr. Akindele said in a statement.
The first alarm was raised at 7:35 p.m. by station staff member Samuel Arugboboisi, who appealed on Facebook for urgent intervention from emergency responders and the public. In a follow-up post on Saturday morning, he announced that the station had resumed broadcasting, calling Fresh FM “too innovative, too resilient, and truly unstoppable.” However, attempts to access the station’s online stream suggested its transmission was still disrupted.
The incident has revived memories of another setback in the station’s history. In August 2018, Fresh FM’s Ibadan office was demolished by the administration of then-Governor Abiola Ajimobi, only to be reconstructed within four months. The latest disaster comes just as the station was preparing to mark its 10th anniversary.
Fresh FM, alongside its sister brands including Tiwantiwa Radio, Blast FM, and the Merry Makers’ Band office, is widely known for its vibrant programming and wide listenership across Southwest Nigeria.
No casualties were reported, and authorities are expected to begin a full investigation into the cause of the blaze.