A massive fire ripped through Fresh FM Nigeria’s Ibadan head office, gutting studios and newsroom.
The late-night blaze destroyed vital broadcasting equipment, leaving staff and residents scrambling for help.
A late-night fire outbreak on Friday razed parts of Fresh FM Nigeria’s head office in Challenge, Ibadan, destroying its newsroom, studios, and server room.
The radio station, owned by veteran gospel singer Yinka Ayefele, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday by Samson Akindele, Group Head of Corporate Affairs. The statement described the fire as “devastating,” noting that major facilities, including the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM, were completely gutted. Station Confirms Extensive Damage.
According to the management, the inferno spread rapidly through key operational areas, consuming the transmitter and server rooms along with several broadcasting equipment.
“It is with deep regret that we announce that the head office of Fresh FM Nigeria at Challenge, Ibadan, was gutted by a massive fire on the night of August 15, 2025.” The studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3 FM were badly burnt, along with nearby offices such as the newsroom, the transmitter/server room, and several equipment,” the statement read.
Management added that initial attempts by staff to contain the fire using in-house extinguishers were unsuccessful due to the scale of the blaze. The full scale of the destruction has not yet been determined, and the exact cause of the blaze was still unclear at the time of reporting.
Footage that emerged online showed the building engulfed in flames while residents and staff members rushed frantically to salvage what they could. The alarming scenes drew swift reactions on social media, where many expressed shock and sympathy for the station. One staff member, identified as @Arugboboisi on X, confirmed the development in real time.
He made a desperate call for help on X, writing: “Fresh FM is on fire! We need the Fire Service to come right away. Please share this message and alert the nearest station.” In another post, he expressed his distress with the brief remark: “What a night.”
The management expressed gratitude to residents of the area, passersby, and officials of the Oyo State Fire Service who joined in battling the flames. Their combined efforts eventually prevented the fire from spreading further within the building. Although the fire has now been contained, Fresh FM said it could not immediately quantify the extent of losses but assured the public that further updates would be provided.
