Umuahia -Pacesetter, the Frequency Modulated, FM, station of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, based in Amakama, Umuahia South Council of Abia State, was Sunday evening gutted by fire.
The cause of the fire was not yet known but it was said to have started from the roof of the building housing the radio station at about 5pm.
However, no life was lost as the staff on duty at the consul at the time, a lady, was said to have escaped through the toilet window.
According to sources from the radio station, when the workers on duty saw the heavy smoke coming out from the roof, they raised an alarm and called out every staff to avoid loss of life.
The radio station commissioned in 2007 by former Minister of Information, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, was completely gutted by fire. However, the staff on duty were said to have managed to salvage the transmission equipment.
But other departments such as accounts, newsroom, programmes and administration as well as the studio were completely burnt down.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has paid a sympathy visit to the radio station. Led by its chairman, Comrade John Emejor, the council called on the federal and state governments and good-spirited individuals and corporate organizations to urgently assist in rebuilding the station and return it back on air.
General Manager of radio station, Mr. Fidelis Onoh, who received the delegation, thanked the NUJ team for the visit.
Meanwhile, the Abia State government has promised that it would do its best to assist in rebuilding the radio station.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Godwin Adindu made the promise when he paid a sympathy visit to the radio station, where he lamented the massive destruction caused by the inferno.
