Tragic news hits the Swiss Alps: A horrific fire at Le Constellation bar in a bustling ski resort has tragically claimed around 40 lives and injured 115 more during New Year’s celebrations. The fire broke out shortly after 1:30 am, swiftly engulfing the bar and leaving its mark on those who escaped. Witnesses recount scenes that were nothing short of a horror movie, with patrons desperately smashing windows and squeezing through a narrow escape route to flee the deadly blaze.
Two women, present at the scene, shared their account of the terrifying moment the fire sparked from a bartender’s candle trick gone wrong, igniting the wooden ceiling. The ensuing chaos saw a frantic rush for the exit, leaving many with severe injuries.
Emergency services were pushed to their limits, with intensive care units filled to capacity. Matthieu Reynard of Valais Canton described the scene, while officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, as pressure mounts on medical facilities.
Authorities are hard at work investigating the cause of the blaze, though they’ve ruled out foul play for the time being. Fire experts explained the incident as an “embrasement généralisé,” akin to what firefighters refer to as a flashover or backdraft.
As the town of Crans-Montana, a famous World Cup ski destination, prepares to host major events, this tragedy will undoubtedly weigh heavy on the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and the injured, as a community begins to heal from this devastating event.