Swiss bar blaze probably ignited by sparklers on champagne bottles

Authorities have reported that a blaze at a bar in a Swiss skiing destination seems to have been ignited by sparklers placed on champagne bottles that were “too close to the ceiling”.

In the early morning of New Year’s Day in Crans-Montana, forty individuals lost their lives in the fire, with 119 others sustaining injuries.

At a press briefing on Friday, Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud indicated that the inquiry would examine the materials present at the site, the fire safety protocols of the bar, its capacity, and the total number of patrons inside during the incident.

The investigation will look into the need for any legal actions. “If that becomes necessary and if those involved are still living, charges will be filed against them,” she stated.

Ms. Pilloud conveyed at the conference, “All evidence suggests that the fire ignited from sparkling candles – or sparklers – that were placed on champagne bottles which were moved too near to the ceiling, resulting in a rapid outbreak of flames.”

Reports indicate that one of the bar’s proprietors informed local media that the venue had undergone inspections thrice within the last decade and had adhered to all necessary regulations.

Officials are currently engaged in the process of formally identifying the 40 victims of the fire, with police commander Frédéric Gisler noting, “that is our priority”.

Numerous individuals injured in the inferno remain in critical condition and “are still battling to survive”, stated Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais region.

Of the injured, 113 have been officially identified, according to Gisler. This tally includes 71 Swiss citizens, 14 French nationals, and 11 Italians, alongside four Serbs among others.

The identification process for six additional individuals is still underway, he mentioned, emphasizing that these numbers might fluctuate.

Reynard remarked that about 50 of those injured “have been or will soon be transferred to specialized burn centers in European nations”.

Included among the injured was 19-year-old French football player Tahirys Dos Santos, as noted in a report from his football team, FC Mertz.

The club reported that Dos Santos was “severely burned” during the fire and has been airlifted to Germany for medical care.

Families of the missing in the fire were still anxiously seeking updates from authorities late Friday evening.

Italian national Achille Barosi, 16, is among the missing, having entered the bar at 01:30 local time on New Year’s Day to retrieve his jacket and phone. His family has not heard from him since.

“We are uncertain if he is still alive,” his aunt Francesca shared with the BBC World Service’s OS programme. She described her nephew as a talented painter who had enrolled in an art school in Milan.

During the Friday press conference, officials stated they were utilizing a technique called “Disaster Victim Identification” to name the deceased, involving a team of forensic specialists, medical doctors, dentists, and investigators who compile data to establish identities.

Ms. Pilloud later indicated at the conference that the investigation would also consider if the bar’s ceiling met construction regulations.

She noted that investigators were assessing the foam installation in the ceiling, stating that it was currently uncertain whether the foam adhered to regulations or was installed with authorization.

“It’s crucial that we don’t jump to conclusions… please allow us to carry out our work,” she urged.

She reported that the two French managers of the bar had been interviewed, along with patrons who escaped the flames.

Ms. Pilloud added that these interviews had aided them in creating a list of individuals present during the event.

Officials also acknowledged that there was more than one exit from the bar, but stated they “are not currently in a position to confirm” whether the emergency exit was secured or accessible at that moment.

Lea Zehnder, 22, celebrated New Year’s in a nearby bar visible from Le Constellation.

She recounted hearing screams emanating from Le Constellation and shared that her boyfriend assisted individuals with severe burn injuries.

“They were unable to walk or communicate,” she stated.

In the meantime, Tristan Fischer, 20, shared with the BBC that his 17-year-old brother broke windows and helped rescue people as the fire escalated.

He expressed concern that the traumatic event might have lasting effects on his brother’s mental well-being: “He hasn’t communicated effectively, nor has he been able to sleep properly since.”

Le Constellation is a sizable bar that has been in operation for several years.

It has the capacity to accommodate up to 300 individuals and also features a small terrace, though the exact number of patrons present during the fire is unknown.

On Friday, numerous tearful families and adolescents gathered near the police barrier surrounding the bar.

Some laid down bouquets and candles, while others attached messages to a makeshift memorial.

White tents shielded the entrances and exits of the area.

Just outside the town, a conference hall is being utilized to provide assistance to the families of those unaccounted for.

A commemoration will take place in Crans-Montana on January 9 to allow people to gather for a moment of “national mourning”.