‘It happened in seconds’: sudden inferno brings horror to Swiss ski resort
The Guardian••general
Key Points:
- A devastating fire broke out shortly after 1:30 am on New Year's Day at Le Constellation, a popular bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, resulting in about 40 deaths and 115 injuries, many among teenagers and young adults.
- Witnesses reported that the blaze may have started from a lit sparkler or flare on a champagne bottle near the wooden ceiling, rapidly spreading into a flashover that engulfed the basement bar in flames within seconds.
- Emergency services responded swiftly with numerous ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles, and helicopters, while bystanders helped evacuate patrons from the inferno; many injured were treated in hospitals in Switzerland and neighboring countries.
- Swiss authorities ruled out arson or terrorism as causes
