- Management confirmed Fresh FM studios, newsroom and transmitter/server room destroyed despite efforts to stop inferno with fire extinguishers.
- Samson Akindele said the fire’s strength overwhelmed staff before firefighters arrived to contain the raging inferno at Challenge, Ibadan.
A massive fire has gutted the Ibadan-based Fresh FM radio station owned by popular musician, Yinka Ayefele.
The incident occurred on Friday evening, throwing the environment around Challenge, Ibadan, into confusion as residents gathered near the burning building.
Eyewitness videos circulating online showed thick flames consuming parts of the station while passers-by attempted to assist before emergency services arrived.
The group head of corporate affairs of Fresh FM Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited, Samson Akindele, confirmed that critical facilities were destroyed.
He listed the studios of Fresh 105.9 FM and Blast 98.3, the newsroom, transmitter and server rooms as badly affected.
Akindele explained that attempts to put out the fire with in-house extinguishers failed because of the intensity of the inferno.
“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, August 15, 2025,” he said.
“In the ensuing mishap, the studios of Fresh 105.9 and Blast 98.3 were badly burnt, with proximal offices like the newsroom, the transmitter/server room and several equipment that got razed during active operations.”
He thanked residents, passers-by, and Oyo fire service personnel for their prompt support during the emergency.
A staff of the station, Samuel Ibukunle, had raised an alarm on his Facebook page while appealing for urgent help.
“Fresh FM is currently on fire! We urgently need the Fire Service to respond immediately. Please retweet, spread the word and alert the nearest station,” he wrote.
The management of Fresh FM noted that the extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are still being investigated.