Investigators Probe Causes of Devastating Swiss Bar Fire

Investigators Alert After New Year's Fire

Swiss investigators are working tirelessly to determine how and why the deadly New Year's Eve fire at a bar in a Swiss mountain resort spread so rapidly. Authorities announced in a press conference that fireworks attached to champagne bottles, allegedly "kept too close to the ceiling," ignited the blaze in the basement of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.

The fire had devastating consequences, claiming the lives of at least 40 people and injuring 119, many of whom sustained serious injuries. Now, the safety of the bar and the factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the flames are under scrutiny by officials.

Fire safety experts have been analyzing videos taken by survivors and witnesses to uncover clues about what went wrong. Two striking images show people carrying champagne bottles with lit fireworks above their heads, surrounded by a crowd. One image captures flames beginning to gather on the ceiling above them.

Questions About Ceiling Safety

Another aspect of concern is the foam insulation material on the bar's ceiling and whether it met safety standards. Two experts stated that materials in the available photographs appear to be "egg carton foam," used for sound absorption, made from polyurethane. If untreated, this can be extremely flammable.

Following the fire at Le Constellation, people attempted to extinguish the flames and exit through a narrow set of stairs, highlighting the risks of escape routes during panic situations.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities have confirmed that there are multiple exits from the building, but information about their condition at the time of the fire remains unclear. Both managers of the bar have been interviewed, and one owner stated that the establishment had been inspected several times over the past decade.