Radio Nigeria Ikoyi Cradle of Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria Goes Up in Thick Flames, Staffs Sustain Injuries

By: Damilola Philips

The cradle of radio broadcasting in Nigeria, Radio Nigeria Ikoyi, has gone up in flames following a late evening fire outbreak on Wednesday that left two personnel injured, consuming the radio house.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News gathered from a video on the sad occurence which went viral from Wednesday night that the historic radio house located at Plot No. 35, Ikoyi Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos was gutted by fire, reportedly caused by the explosion of an air conditioner in the studio, which injured some personnel on duty namely the announcer on duty and a producer who escaped from the Inferno with varying degrees of injuries. 

OTN News reports that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has swiftly swung into action to contain the fire outbreak as no fewer than four fire fighting Tankers, two from the state government and two from the Federal Government, could be seen at the scene of the raging Inferno. 

In a statement released by the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye noted; “The Agency which was alerted at about 17:30 hours had Firefighters from Dolphin, Ebute Elefun and Oba On iTunes Fire Stations as first responders who met the Fire well-alight due to the substances involved in the material composition of the studio section. 

“The public is however assured that the collaborative efforts with the Federal Fire Service and other Emergency Responders including the Nigerian Police has put the situation under control and confined it to the studio section of the U-shape one storey building where it emanated.

“While the cause of the Fire is yet unknown with no report of any casualty, damping down of the Fire embers continue." the statement concluded.

OTN News further reports that officials of the Lagis State Emergency Management Agency and other first responders are still on duty at the fire-gutted, iconic radio broadcasting house

Meanwhile, the sad occurrence has triggered emotional comments from Netizens, some of whom expressed worries about the absence of fire hydrants and the overall capacity of Nigeria as a country to manage fire accidents effectively.