What happened in the Crans-Montana bar fire in Switzerland – visual guide | Crans-Montana fire
S.Witzerland is suffering one of its worst tragedies after a fire broke out in an Alpine bar during New Year’s celebrations, killing more than 40 people and leaving dozens with serious burn injuries.
The prosecutor in charge of the case said Friday that initial investigations suggested the most likely cause of the fire was foam flares carried too close to the ceiling.
The undated photo below shows the bar covering the ceiling, which may be sound deadening or insulation.
The fire at Le Constellation appears to have started at 1.30am (00.30 GMT) as revelers were celebrating the new year.
Video, photos and reports from eyewitnesses show that the flames quickly spread throughout the packed club and people had difficulty escaping.
The basement venue served many locals and some tourists. Since there is no entrance fee, it attracts a young crowd and most of the victims are teenagers. In Switzerland, 16-year-olds are allowed to buy wine and beer, but not alcoholic beverages.
A photo posted online showed the low ceiling alight as sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held by partygoers below. This image may have undergone some digital enhancement and the Guardian may have subsequently blurred out some identifying personal details.
In another image, a woman from what appears to be the same room is seen sitting on someone’s shoulders while holding a sparkler. It has been widely reported that these two photographs show the moment the ceiling caught fire.
The fire may also have triggered the release of flammable gases that could then ignite violently, which could explain the rapid spread, according to officials.
The speed of the flames is clearly visible in this video, which shows a young man trying to extinguish a small fire licking the roof. There’s still music playing in the bar.
Eyewitnesses described the crowd growing as people frantically tried to escape from the basement nightclub up a narrow staircase and through a small doorway.
This video shows people running up the stairs.
Le Constellation’s maximum capacity was approximately 300 people.
While windows were broken to escape the fire, ambulances arrived at the scene upon reporting smoke. Firefighters broke the windows of a nearby apartment block to gain entry.
Panicked parents rushed to the scene in their cars to find out if their children were trapped inside. During the daytime on New Year’s Eve, there were red-white warning tapes, flowers and candles on the street where the disaster occurred. Police closed the area with white screens while forensic teams began working.
Many of the injured could not be immediately identified due to the severity of their burns. The intensive care unit and operating room at the regional hospital quickly reached full capacity.
Authorities later said about 50 people had been or would be transferred to other European countries for treatment in specialized burn units.
Switzerland ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast for five days as a sign of mourning.
The 113 people identified as injured included citizens of nearby France and Italy, officials said.
