Swiss ski resort bar fire ignited by sparklers: officials

The devastating fire that erupted at a popular bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has been linked to spark candles that were placed on champagne and wine bottles. 

According to investigators, the fire erupted shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve inside the crowded Le Constellation bar, killing 40 people and injuring 119 others. 

Investigators believe that the spark candles ignited flammable material on the ceiling, causing flames to spread rapidly through the resort bar, causing the massive tragedy.

The bar’s soundproofing and ceiling materials are now in question as to whether it met fire-safety standards. Investigators are also looking into whether such sparkler-style candles were permitted for indoor use. Fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and evacuation procedures at the site are also being checked as part of the investigation.

The Attorney General of Valais said legal trials could follow if safety violations are proven to be the cause of the fire.

According to the police, the victims included 71 Swiss citizens, 14 French, and 11 Italians, along with people from Serbia, Luxembourg, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Portugal, Belgium, and Poland. Identification of the dead is still underway; some of the bodies have also been sent for DNA testing.

Crans-Montana is a renowned ski resort for international alpine skiing events and has previously hosted World Cup competitions. The bar, where the deadly incident took place, is a large and decades-old venue, not very modern but located in a high-end resort area.

According to the officials, the findings from the investigation of the incident could lead to tighter controls on indoor safety of such tourist spots nationwide, aiming to prevent any mishap in the future.