A new video has captured the moment a deadly fire engulfed a bar in Switzerland on New Year’s Eve. The Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana was set ablaze around 1:30 am on January 1 during a festive gathering attended mostly by young adults. Witnesses reported seeing staff carrying champagne bottles with sparklers just before the fire erupted.
Images from the scene depict the spark that ignited the fire, leading to approximately 47 fatalities and over 115 injuries. Subsequent footage shows the flames rapidly spreading through the ceiling as partygoers looked on. Despite the unfolding tragedy, initial reactions were subdued, with attendees filming the blaze on their phones amid the blaring music and lights.
One video angle shows a person futilely attempting to put out the fire with a cloth while others watched nearby. Swiss authorities have indicated that the fire is believed to have been triggered by the sparklers on the champagne bottles. Investigations are ongoing, with Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general of Valais, mentioning the sparkler theory as one of the potential causes being explored.
Ms. Pilloud stated that all possibilities are being considered, with initial evidence pointing to sparklers coming into contact with the ceiling, causing the rapid spread of the fire. She also acknowledged the footage circulating on social media, noting that it seems to have been shared by individuals trying to assist during the incident.
Addressing concerns about the bar’s owners, Ms. Pilloud clarified that no criminal liability has been established in connection with the fire. Interviews conducted so far have not been under caution, and no flight risks have been identified. However, she emphasized that necessary measures could be taken if required but reiterated that definitive criminal responsibility has not yet been determined.