News / BCfm Radio
BCfm studio devastated by fire
The stench of acrid smoke filled the air inside the BCfm studio as station bosses took stock of the devastation wreaked by fire on Thursday lunchtime.
The Silversound show was live on air when the blaze broke out soon after 11am on Thursday morning (August 8) and the entire Easton Community Centre building was evacuated as fire fighters tackled the flames. No one was injured in the fire.
BCfm engineer and presenter, known as DJ Steve Satan and Pat Hart, the station’s director and presenter, assess the damage
“It’s a massive blow for us but the main thing is no one was hurt,” said BCfm director and presenter Pat Hart, as he surveyed the extent of the damage inside the studio.
is needed now More than ever
He had been at home when he received the call about the fire and rushed to the radio station, which is in the ground floor of the community centre on Kilburn Street.
Devastation caused by fire in the studio
Equipment is charred and melted
What was once the air conditioning unit
The remains of the light
In the studio, the walls in the far corner where the fire broke out are blackened, equipment is charred and melted, the air conditioning unit has completely warped in the heat and the molten remains of the light hang from the ceiling.
Shows are off-air for now, but BCfm engineer and presenter, who goes by the stage name of DJ Steve Satan, is hopeful things will be back up and running in some form in the near future – possibly as soon as 24 hours.
The station has another studio in the building that’s currently used for pre-recorded broadcasts but could be adapted to work as an interim base.
Easton Community Centre is closed for now and has no electric, although the rest of the building appears to be largely unharmed. People are advised to check the Facebook page for information about when it will re-open.
Pat said it is too early to say what the community radio station might need in terms of support at this stage, but has asked people to keep in touch via social media and post some of their favourite shows while BCfm’s usual programmes are off-air. He added thanks to fire crews for their quick response.
A spokesperson for Avon Fire and Rescue said in a statement: “Crews from Temple and Kingswood were called at 11.14am to a ground floor fire on Kilburn Street.
“Ventilation was carried out on the building and 50 people were evacuated.”
Keep an eye on the Easton Community Centre for information about when it will be open
Read more: ‘It’s a hub for absolutely everyone in the community’
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