"A full investigation will be conducted by the owners of the transmitter, Sentech, who operate most of the country's radio and television transmitters. At this stage, all we know is the damage is extensive," Talk Radio 702's station manager, Pheladi Gwangwa said.
The blaze started at about 4pm on Saturday and the station went off air. Firemen used water and foam to extinguish the fire. Technicians will ascertain the full extent of the damage this week.
"As an interim measure we are broadcasting on 540 AM. The 540 transmitter site is also owned by Sentech and is located in the Garankuwa area," Gwangwa said.
"702 started broadcasting on the 540 AM frequency at about 11pm on Saturday evening after the broadcasting regulator, ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa), granted permission to do this. We are still unclear when we will return to the 702 frequency," Gwangwa added.
Talk Radio 702 can also be accessed on DSTV's audio channel 56 or online on www.702.co.za.
"We apologise for the break in the transmission. It was beyond our control and we wish to thank our listeners for all their support," Gwangwa said.
Talk Radio 702 has been broadcasting from the Garankuwa transmitter, on the 702 AM frequency, for the past 25 years.
"Programming is continuing as per normal and none of Primedia's other stations are affected. Shortly after we went off air, we brought in additional staff to field calls from our listeners informing them of the fire and how they can access the station. Listeners are sympathetic and we thank them," said Primedia's group head of news and talk programmes, Yusuf Abramjee.
"We also wish to thank our colleagues in the media for all their support and for keeping our listeners updated," Abramjee added.
702 is continuing to broadcast as per normal from its Sandton studio.
