Photo: The Village Reporter
An early morning fire on Saturday, May 24, has completely destroyed the longtime broadcast home of WBNO and WQCT in Bryan, Ohio. The building, which housed both stations since the 1960s, has been declared a total loss following the blaze.
The fire broke out around 4 a.m. at the facility shared by B-Rock 100.9 and Q 96.5. Multiple area fire departments responded, deploying aerial trucks to battle the flames. Crews remained on-site for several hours, working to contain the fire. By 7 a.m., the fire was under control, but the structure was left severely damaged and uninhabitable.
Authorities confirmed that the building was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still unknown and is under active investigation.
In a message posted on WBNO’s Facebook page later that day, station staff shared the emotional impact of the loss. “Our work home suffered a devastating fire last night that has left the building, and our hearts, completely gutted,” the statement read. “It is for all intents and purposes a total loss.”
Despite the destruction, the team behind WBNO and WQCT expressed strong determination to return. “We are going to rebuild!! We aren’t going anywhere!! From these ashes, we will rise again. Bigger and better than ever before.”
The building had been a fixture in the Bryan community for decades, serving as a local news, music, and emergency information source for generations of listeners in northwest Ohio. The fire has disrupted normal operations, but the team is actively working to restore service and continue programming as they explore temporary solutions.
Community members have already begun expressing support and sharing memories of the stations and their role in local life. Both WBNO and WQCT have been recognized for their community presence and consistent service to the region.
As investigations continue and rebuilding efforts begin, the staff’s resilience has become a focal point. While they’ve lost their physical home, their message remains clear: the stations and their commitment to the community are far from gone.
Further updates on the fire and recovery plans are expected from station leadership in the coming days.