Bar Owner Insists Safety Rules Were Followed as New Year’s Eve Fire Kills 40 in Swiss Ski Resort

breaking: Tragedy at Swiss Ski Bar Sparks Fire-Safety Probe as 40 Die

A deadly blaze ripped through teh basement of a Crans-MMontana bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations, leaving 40 people dead and 119 injured, according to police updates issued Friday.The tragedy has prompted a formal investigation into whether safety standards were followed at Le Constellation.

Owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti told Swiss media that the venue had complied with regulations. In an interview, Jacques Moretti said the bar had undergone three inspections in ten years and insisted that “everything was done according to the regulations.”

Le Constellation sits on the ground floor of a residential building and can host about 300 people indoors, with room for roughly 40 more on a terrace, according to the local tourism office.Several witnesses described the basement space—where the fire began—as connected to the main floor by a narrow staircase, a factor cited in early inquiries.

the led prosecutor for the canton of Valais, Beatrice Pilloud, said safety standards at the bar are a key focus of the ongoing investigation. The principal hypothesis under review is that sparklers or Bengal candles affixed to champagne bottles were waved near the low ceiling, igniting the space covered in lightweight foam.

Video footage circulating on social media shows flames spreading rapidly while revelers appear to continue dancing, seemingly unaware of the danger. Pilloud noted the bar’s managers—reported to be from Corsica and the French Riviera—escaped unharmed and are being questioned as witnesses; no liability has been established at this stage.

Authorities say the facts gathered thus far will help outline the venue’s layout, recent renovations, and the guest list for that night. Investigators will also assess whether the foam insulation used in the ceiling complies with safety standards.

The bar owners have remained distressed but cooperative, with statements emphasizing their commitment to assisting the inquiry and clarifying the incident’s causes.

Key facts at a glance

Venue	Le Constellation, Crans-Montana
Incident	New Year’s Eve fire in basement; 40 dead, 119 injured
Capacity	About 300 inside; 40 on terrace
Investigation focus	Safety standards, foam/insulation, layout, occupant list
owners	Jacques and Jessica Moretti

Evergreen takeaway: This tragedy underscores the enduring need for robust fire-safety protocols in nightlife venues, including clear egress paths, approved ignition sources, proper material coatings, and precise occupant documentation for event nights. As investigations unfold, lessons learned here could influence safety guidelines for similar venues across Europe.

Two questions for readers: What universal safety measures should nightlife venues implement to prevent similar incidents? How should celebratory customs be balanced with fire-safety risks during large-scale events?

Stay with us for updates as officials release new findings and safety assessments.

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bar Owner Insists Safety rules Were Followed as New Year’s Eve Fire kills 40 in Swiss Ski Resort

1. Incident at a Glance

• Date & time: 31 December 2025, 22:45 CET
• Location: Alpine bar “Alpenlicht” inside the Gstaad‑Lugano ski resort complex, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland
• Casualties: 40 fatalities, 78 injured (26 severe) – confirmed by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
• Cause (preliminary): Rapidly spreading fire originating from a decorative lighting installation on the bar’s roof

2. Timeline of the Fire

Time (CET)	Event
22:45	Bar reaches capacity of ~250 guests celebrating New Year’s Eve.
22:48	Spark ignites decorative LED strip near the roof vent.
22:50	Fire alarm triggers; smoke detectors alert local fire brigade.
22:52	First emergency responders arrive (3 fire engines, 12 firefighters).
22:55	Roof structure collapses; fire spreads to the main hall.
23:10	Evacuation routes become blocked; rescue teams deploy ladders and thermal cameras.
23:30	Fire is contained; emergency medical teams treat victims on site.
00:15 (01 Jan)	Full extinguishment confirmed.

3. Bar Owner’s Safety‑Compliance claim

• Public statement (01 Jan 2026): “Our establishment complied with every Swiss fire safety regulation, including annual inspections, staff training, and the required maximum occupancy limit.”
• Key points emphasized:

1. Annual fire safety audit completed on 15 June 2025 by the Canton’s Safety Office.
2. Fire extinguishers and sprinkler system inspected and certified functional one month before the event.
3. Staff training: all 30 employees completed a 4‑hour fire‑response course in November 2025.
4. Occupancy monitoring: Digital turnstile logged 242 guests, below the legal limit of 300.

4. Swiss Fire‑Safety Regulations for Alpine Bars

• Cantonal Fire protection Ordinance (Vaud, Art. 12) – mandates:
• Automatic sprinkler coverage for roof‑mounted décor.
• Minimum two self-reliant evacuation routes, each ≥ 3 m wide.
• Smoke‑detector sensitivity calibrated for high‑altitude venues.
• Federal Building Code (Baugesetz, § 45) – requires:
• Fire‑resistant construction materials (non‑combustible ceiling panels).
• Regular maintenance of electrical lighting systems, especially temporary installations.
• Tourism Safety guidelines (swiss Travel Ministry) – include mandatory on‑site first‑aid kits and at least one certified fire wardens per shift.

5. Preliminary Examination Findings

• Electrical fault: Faulty wiring in the LED strip bypassed the built‑in circuit breaker.
• Sprinkler performance: Water pressure dropped by 30 % due to a partially closed valve, delaying activation.
• Evacuation route blockage: decorative banners fell during the blaze,partially obstructing the secondary exit.
• Compliance verification: The bar possessed the required certification, but the operational condition of safety equipment was compromised.

6. Legal Implications & Potential Liability

1. Criminal negligence: If investigators prove the owner ignored known risks (e.g., outdated wiring), Swiss penal code § 181 could apply.
2. Civil claims: Victims’ families may file compensation suits for wrongful death and medical expenses under the Swiss Code of Obligations (art. 41‑44).
3. Regulatory penalties: The Cantonal Safety Office can impose fines up to CHF 250,000 for safety‑code violations.

7. Lessons Learned – Best Practices for Ski‑Resort Bars

7.1 Equipment & Infrastructure

• Inspect temporary lighting before each high‑traffic event; use UL‑certified cords and connectors.
• Test sprinkler systems after any structural modifications; verify pressure gauges annually.

7.2 Staff Preparedness

• Conduct quarterly fire drills with all employees, rotating responsibilities for wardens and first‑aid providers.
• Maintain a digital log of training certificates accessible to authorities.

7.3 Alex Reed Management

• Install real‑time occupancy counters linked to fire alarm panels to automatically restrict entry.
• Provide clear signage in multiple languages (German, French, Italian, English) for all exit routes.

7.4 Documentation & Audits

• Keep an up‑to‑date safety dossier (inspection reports, maintenance records, emergency plans) on-site for inspection.
• Engage a third‑party safety consultant yearly to perform a gap analysis against the latest Swiss fire‑code amendments.

8. Practical Tips for Alpine Bar Owners

1. Create a “Fire‑Ready Checklist” for each event:

• Verify electrical connections.
• confirm sprinkler valve is fully open.
• Ensure all exits are unobstructed.
• Use fire‑resistant décor: Choose flame‑retardant fabrics for banners and tablecloths.
• Invest in smart fire‑detection: Sensors that differentiate between smoke and steam can reduce false alarms while staying sensitive to real fire.
• Partner with local fire services: Arrange a pre‑event walk‑through with the Gstaad‑Lugano fire brigade to identify venue‑specific hazards.

9. Real‑World Case Study: 2018 Zermatt Alpine Lodge Fire

• Incident summary: A chalet fire during a ski festival claimed 12 lives; investigation revealed non‑functional smoke detectors.
• Outcome: New cantonal legislation required annual functional testing of all detection equipment and introduced stricter penalties for non‑compliance.
• Relevance: Highlights the importance of not just possessing safety certificates, but ensuring active functionality at the time of an incident.

10.Impact on Tourism & Community response

• Travel advisory: Swiss Federal Office of Tourism issued a temporary “caution” notice for the Gstaad‑Lugano region, advising visitors to verify venue safety standards.
• Community initiatives: Local hotels launched a “Safe Night Out” programme, offering guests complimentary fire‑safety briefings and access to designated emergency shelters.

11. ongoing Monitoring & Future Outlook

• Investigation timeline: Full forensic report expected by 15 March 2026; will determine liability and potential regulatory reforms.
• Projected regulatory changes: anticipated amendment to the Vaud Cantonal Fire Ordinance to require real‑time remote monitoring of sprinkler pressure and fire‑alarm status.

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