Radio services off-air after fire at a North Yorkshire transmitter site

Local and regional radio stations including Capital, Heart, TFM and BBC Radio Tees have lost their analogue FM services around North Yorkshire following a fire at the Bilsdale mast.

National stations Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 and Classic FM along with local DAB services on the MuxCo multiplexes are also suffering from reduced coverage in the area.

Freeview services carried by the site are also off-air.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it is currently in attendance tackling a fire at Bilsdale transmitting centre which includes Bilsdale mast. The emergency service tweeted: “We currently have 6 fire appliances and our mobile water bowser as well as command and control assets in attendance.

“Crews are working hard to control the fire in difficult circumstances – it is unclear at this time if any of the centres transmitting capability has been affected or the cause of the fire which will be investigated in due course.”

In "broadcasting-related things that are on fire" news, the Bilsdale mast, which serves the southern part of the Tyne Tees area, is on fire. pic.twitter.com/Z9K1NrfdnU

— TRANSDIFFUSION ○ (@transdiffusion) August 10, 2021

Our FM output has been affected by the fire at Bilsdale mast. Listen here: https://t.co/IRlXU3zuCj pic.twitter.com/67bWj8Qbv4

— BBC Radio Tees (@BBCTees) August 10, 2021

You might be struggling to listen to TFM right now, broadcasters across the region are experiencing technical issues on FM and DAB due to a transmitter fire.
Remember you can still hear us on your Smart Speaker, Online or on our app: https://t.co/9URdq3t2sp

— TFM (@TFMradio) August 10, 2021

Due to a fire at the Bilsdale transmitter, our local North Yorkshire DAB multiplex will have reduced coverage. The incident has affected all services from the transmitter including Freeview, local FM and national/local DAB.

— MuxCo (@MuxCoDAB) August 10, 2021