There Was Probably a Flashover in the Swiss Bar Fire. Here’s What That Means.
The New York Times••world
Key Points:
- A deadly fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, likely involved a flashover, a rapid and intense fire phenomenon causing nearly everything in a room to ignite simultaneously.
- The fire resulted in at least one explosion and approximately 40 fatalities, with the blaze spreading quickly due to combustible materials and enclosed space conditions.
- Fire experts explained that flashovers occur when hot gases accumulate and raise temperatures to around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, igniting all materials in the room within minutes.
- Flashovers are common in major fires worldwide and are extremely dangerous, often fatal even for firefighters in protective gear.
- Prevention measures such as sprinkler systems and strict fire code compliance, including avoiding flammable ceiling materials
