A devastating fire that erupted during a New Year's celebration at a Swiss bar, claiming 40 lives and injuring over 100, has revealed a critical lapse in safety protocols. Authorities confirmed that the Le Constellation bar in the resort town of Crans-Montana had not undergone mandatory fire safety inspections for several years, with the last recorded check happening in 2019.
Cause of the Blaze and Criminal Probe
Investigators probing the January 1st disaster have pinpointed the likely cause. They believe festive sparkling candles placed on Champagne bottles ignited the blaze when flames came into contact with the ceiling. The tragic incident occurred around 1:30 a.m., turning New Year's revelry into a nightmare.
Swiss prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation targeting the bar's managers. The Valais region’s chief prosecutor stated the two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire.
Years of Missed Safety Inspections
In a shocking revelation, local officials admitted that periodic safety checks were completely neglected for a five-year period. Nicolas Féraud, head of Crans-Montana’s municipal government, stated that while inspections occurred up to 2019, "periodic checks were not carried out between 2020 and 2025."
"We regret this bitterly," Féraud told a news conference, adding that it will be up to judicial authorities to determine the impact of this failure on the chain of events. He could not immediately explain why the inspections had stopped for so long.
Authorities are also examining whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling met regulations and if the use of such candles was even permitted inside the establishment.
Aftermath and Victim Identification
The fire's intensity made identifying victims a prolonged and painful process. The severity of burns required families to provide DNA samples to authorities. Investigators completed identifying all 40 deceased victims by Sunday, January 4th. By the next day, they had also identified all 116 injured persons.
This tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on local governance and safety enforcement. While regional authorities stated safety inspections were the municipality's responsibility, the systemic failure has had fatal consequences, leaving a community in mourning and demanding answers.
