Swiss Ski Bar Fire: 40 Deaths, 5 Years Without Safety Checks

Fatal Fire at La Constellation Bar

• 🕯️ A devastating fire at the La Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Day resulted in the deaths of 40 people.
• 🚨 Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was likely caused by sparkler candles on champagne bottles igniting ceiling foam.

Lack of Safety Inspections

• 🚫 Officials revealed that no safety checks, inspections, or audits were conducted at the bar between 2020 and 2025, a period of five years.
• 🏛️ The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, expressed profound regret and stated the municipality will accept responsibility for the oversight.
• 🏢 Measures have been taken to close another venue managed by the same couple who ran the La Constellation bar.

Bar's Operational Issues

• 🔊 The soundproofing foam in the basement ceiling, which was deemed acceptable, is believed to be central to how the fire started and spread rapidly.
• ⚠️ The bar was reportedly over capacity on New Year's Eve, and questions are being raised about the number and accessibility of fire exits.
• 🚫 Sparklers on bottles, a common practice at the bar, have now been banned in local venues.

Investigation and Future Measures

• 🕵️ A criminal investigation has been launched into the French couple who managed the bar.
• 🔍 Authorities plan to conduct full audits and checks of all 128 nightlife establishments in and around Crans-Montana to identify any similar lapses in fire regulations.
• ⚖️ While admitting mistakes were made, officials have stated there is no question of resigning over the incident.