Authorities in Switzerland have identified the likely cause of a devastating fire that ripped through a popular bar at a ski resort on New Year's Eve, claiming 40 lives. The blaze, one of the deadliest in the nation's recent history, is believed to have been sparked by celebratory sparkler candles placed on champagne bottles.
Cause of the Catastrophic Blaze
Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud stated on Friday that the fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana likely started when sparkler candles used during bottle service were brought too close to the ceiling. The sparks ignited combustible gases, leading to a flashover—a sudden and violent spread of flames throughout the enclosed space.
"It appears the fire started from sparkler candles, which were placed on top of Champagne bottles and were taken too close to the ceiling during bottle service," Pilloud explained at a press conference. This "violent ignition" caused the fire to rapidly engulf the crowded venue in the early hours of Thursday.
Criminal Liability and Safety Checks Underway
The prosecutor's office has launched a probe to determine if criminal negligence played a role. Pilloud warned that investigations for fire by negligence, homicide by negligence, and injuries by negligence could follow if liable individuals are identified and alive.
Authorities are scrutinising multiple safety aspects of the bar, including:
- Whether the ceiling materials, such as sound-dampening insulation, met fire safety regulations.
- If the use of upward-shooting sparkler candles was permitted indoors at the venue.
- The availability and condition of fire extinguishers.
- The functionality of emergency exits and escape routes.
A Heavy Toll and International Victims
The fire resulted in a tragic loss of life and injury. 40 people were killed and 119 others were injured in the incident. Among the injured are 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French citizens, and 11 Italians. Victims also hailed from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. The nationalities of 14 victims remain unknown at this time.
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through Switzerland and the international community, raising urgent questions about fire safety protocols in crowded entertainment venues, especially during high-risk celebrations.
