A newly released video captures the moment a devastating fire tore through a bar in Switzerland during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana ignited around 1:30 am on January 1, with witnesses reporting that staff appeared carrying champagne bottles topped with sparkling flares just before the blaze erupted.
Images from the bar depict the exact moment when those sparks ignited the fire that tragically resulted in approximately 47 fatalities and over 115 injuries. Footage recorded at the scene shows the rapid spread of flames through the ceiling as partygoers observed below, initially reacting with a mix of curiosity and shock, filming the unfolding disaster on their phones amidst the background of music and lights.
In one angle of the video, an individual is seen attempting unsuccessfully to extinguish the flames with a cloth, while others looked on nearby. Following initial witness statements, Swiss authorities have indicated that the fire’s likely cause was the sparklers attached to champagne bottles used during the event. Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais attorney general, mentioned that the sparkler theory is among several hypotheses under investigation.
Pilloud stated that no possibilities are being ruled out, emphasizing that the fire likely started due to sparklers on the champagne bottles being too close to the ceiling, leading to a rapid spread of flames. She noted that initial evidence has been gathered at the site. The attorney general also addressed social media footage from the early moments, mentioning that the videos appeared to have been recorded by individuals who sought to assist during the incident.
Regarding interviews with the bar’s French owners, Pilloud clarified that no criminal liability has been established in connection with the incident. She emphasized that those interviewed have not been considered suspects, and no cautionary measures have been taken against them at this time. If there are concerns about flight risks, appropriate actions may be taken in the future, but as of now, no criminal responsibility has been determined.
