Sparklers on Champagne Bottles Linked to Deadly Fire at Swiss Bar

Wed Jan 07 2026 07:37:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A tragic fire in a Swiss ski resort claims 40 lives, with sparklers on champagne bottles suspected as the cause. Investigations into safety measures and potential legal actions are underway.

A devastating fire broke out at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, leading to 40 fatalities and over 119 injuries, reportedly caused by sparklers placed on champagne bottles igniting the ceiling. Authorities are investigating the bar's compliance with safety regulations and the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the bar's maximum capacity and fire safety protocols. Ongoing efforts include the identification of victims and support for the families affected.

A fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort appears to have been caused by sparklers placed on bottles of champagne that came 'too close to the ceiling', authorities said.

Forty people died after the blaze in the early hours of New Year's Day in Crans-Montana, while 119 were injured.

Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud told a news conference that the investigation will focus on the materials used at the site, the bar's fire safety measures, its capacity, and the number of people inside at the time of the fire.

The investigation will explore whether prosecutions will be necessary. If that is the case, and if those people are still alive, there will be a case opened against them, she said.

Everything leads us to think that the fire started from sparkling candles - or sparklers - which were put on bottles of champagne [that were] moved too close to the ceiling. From that, a blaze began very quickly, Ms. Pilloud stated.

Authorities are working on the formal identification of the 40 individuals killed in the fire, with many of the injured remaining in critical condition. The identification process revealed that 113 of the injured are from various nationalities, including Swiss, French, and Italian citizens.

Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais region, emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that many individuals are still fighting for their lives and will be transferred to special burn treatment centers across Europe.

A national mourning ceremony is scheduled to take place in Crans-Montana on January 9th to honor the victims and support the affected families.

Commenting on the bar structure, Ms. Pilloud mentioned that the compliance of the ceiling with building regulations will be investigated, adding that foam installations in the ceiling are a key factor under review.

The bar in question, Le Constellation, has been a long-standing venue known for hosting large gatherings, but it is currently unclear how many patrons were present during the fire.

As the community grieves, relatives are gathering near the police cordon, leaving flowers and candles as tributes, highlighting the emotional toll of this tragedy.