A New Year’s celebration turned into a catastrophe early Thursday morning when a massive fire engulfed Le Constellation, a popular bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana. Local authorities fear the death toll could reach 40, with at least 100 others treated for injuries.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Incident: A Celebration Cut Short
The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m., while hundreds of guests were ringing in the new year. According to witness reports, the blaze may have been sparked by a handheld firework or candle that ignited the bar’s wooden ceiling.
Because of the building’s construction and dry conditions, the fire spread with “extreme speed,” leading to what fire officials described as a total flashover. The rapid ignition trapped many inside, forcing others to leap from windows to escape the smoke and flames.
Emergency Response & Casualties
The scale of the disaster triggered a massive emergency mobilization across the Valais region:
- Medical Evacuations: 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances were deployed to ferry the injured to specialized burn units.
- Hospital Capacity: Local hospitals reached full capacity within hours, requiring victims to be diverted to larger trauma centers.
- Current Status: Recovery efforts are ongoing, though the stability of the charred structure has slowed the search for those still missing.
The Investigation
Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud confirmed that a full forensic investigation is underway. While the exact spark is still being determined, officials have ruled out foul play or terrorism.
