One Injured As Fire Guts Radio Station In Osun

VOICE AIR MEDIA News Update

A member of staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Gold FM, Ilesa, Osun State, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, has been hospitalised after sustaining an injury in a fire that razed part of the station on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear what caused the incident, but sources said loud noise coming from the transmission hall of the station, preceded the inferno which reportedly destroyed equipment.

The injured staff, who was said to be among workers that passed the night on the premises, it was learnt, sustained burns and was rushed to a private hospital in Ilesha for treatment.

A source close to the station, who preferred anonymity, during an interview with The PUNCH, said residents responding to distress calls by the staff were joined by staff to put off the fire.

“It happened in the early hours of Sunday. A section of the transmission hall was razed down. Broadcast equipment was destroyed. People in the neighborhood heard a loud noise from the transmission hall and before the staff that slept on the premises could get to the hall, it was already on fire.

“A staff was injured. The incident shocked him and he also sustained burns and had to be rushed to a hospital for treatment,” the source said.

When contacted, Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said police operatives responded to a distress call from the station and joined residents to put off the fire.

She said, “Our operatives responded to the distress call when the fire started. They joined the residents to put out the fire. Let all of us always observe safety measures regarding our appliances to prevent an inferno. An investigation has commenced into the incident.”

(PUNCH)