Swiss authorities have revealed the cause of the deadly fire that swept through a crowded bar in the alpine resort of Crans-Montana, killing about 40 people.
Gatekeepers News reports that the authorities said the incident most likely started after sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited flammable materials inside the venue.
Investigators disclosed that the blaze, which broke out during New Year celebrations, appears to have been accidental and linked to indoor use of celebratory pyrotechnics.
The fire erupted in the early hours of January 1, 2026, at a popular underground bar packed with revellers welcoming the new year.
According to officials, sparks from the champagne bottle sparklers are believed to have reached the bar’s wooden ceiling or decorative fittings, causing flames to spread rapidly in the confined space. Within moments, thick smoke and intense heat engulfed the venue, leaving many patrons with little chance to escape.
Emergency responders described the scene as chaotic, with survivors attempting to flee through limited exits while others smashed windows in desperation.
The fire is said to have developed into a flashover, a sudden and extreme spread of flames, which overwhelmed both customers and staff before firefighters could fully contain the situation.
Authorities in Valais canton have ruled out terrorism or deliberate sabotage, stressing that all indications point to an accident. However, prosecutors have opened a formal investigation to determine whether safety regulations were breached, including possible violations related to indoor pyrotechnics, crowd capacity, fire exits, and the use of combustible materials.
The victims include both Swiss citizens and foreign tourists, many of them young people visiting the ski resort for the holiday season. Several others were seriously injured and transferred to specialist burn units across Switzerland and neighbouring countries. Officials have warned that identifying all victims may take time due to the severity of the fire.
Swiss leaders have described the incident as one of the country’s worst peacetime disasters in recent years, prompting nationwide mourning and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards in nightlife and entertainment venues.
