Insights into the Swiss Bar Fire: Rapid Spread After Celebration Highlighted

Sat Jan 03 2026 00:21:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A deadly New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana has raised critical questions about fire safety and compliance, following a celebration involving champagne sparklers that ignited the blaze, leaving at least 40 dead and many injured.

Investigators in Switzerland are delving into the rapid spread of a fire at Le Constellation bar on New Year's Eve, believed to have started from sparklers attached to champagne bottles too close to the ceiling. Evidence from eyewitness videos and safety assessments of the bar's materials will be pivotal in understanding the incident, which resulted in a tragic loss of life and significant injuries.

Investigators are racing to establish how and why the deadly New Year's Eve fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort spread so rapidly. Authorities on Friday stated that sparklers attached to champagne bottles held 'too close to the ceiling' ignited the blaze in the basement of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.

While there is a focus on how the fire killed at least 40 people and injured 119 others, many seriously, BBC Verify is examining videos from survivors and consulting fire safety experts for clues as to what went wrong.

Bottles with Sparklers Held in the Air

Striking images circulated online depict revelers holding champagne bottles topped with lit sparklers. One image reveals flames beginning to gather on the ceiling above a crowd holding multiple bottles.

The second image, captured from a different angle, shows a person in a crash helmet holding a bottle with a lit sparkler, dangerously close to the ceiling.

BBC Verify confirmed these images date from after midnight on January 1 by analyzing details including the bar's design and pipework, ruling out manipulation by artificial intelligence.

Questions About Foam Padding on Ceiling

Authorities are also scrutinizing the foam-like padding on the bar's ceiling regarding safety standards. Fire safety experts raised concerns about the “egg box foam,” which, if untreated, is highly flammable and can accelerate fire growth.

Exit Routes from the Bar

As the investigation continues, officials emphasize the importance of exit routes, particularly as videos show guests struggling to evacuate through narrow stairwells. Panic in unfamiliar environments could lead to deadly bottlenecks.

Sparklers Used Before

Investigators have come across videos from as early as 2024 showing the use of sparklers in the bar, suggesting this practice was not new.

The Swiss authorities are committed to uncovering the details surrounding this tragic event, with ongoing debates regarding compliance with safety protocols and how the rapid spread of flames could have been mitigated.