Sparklers To Blame For NYE Bar Fire That Killed Dozens In Switzerland

The fire that killed at least 40 people at a ski resort in Switzerland on New Year’s Eve was caused by sparklers, according to Swiss officials.

In a press conference Friday, officials said it appears as though the fire was ignited by sparklers on top of champagne bottles that were too close to the ceiling. Officials described the fire as a “flashover event,” meaning the entire room caught fire almost instantly.

At least 40 people died in the fire and 119 more are in the hospital as of Friday morning, some with serious injuries.

The blaze broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning in Valais at Le Constellation, a bar at the Swiss ski resort Crans-Montana.

Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said officials are looking into any criminal activity related to the fire. Pilloud said if criminal activity was involved, investigations will be opened for fire negligence, homicide by negligence, and injuries by negligence.

Pilloud said investigators are also looking into the building’s regulations and safety measures, as well as how many people were inside the building when the fire broke out.

Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships

“The investigations will focus on the renovation work that had been carried out in the bar, the materials used, the licensing arrangements, the safety and security arrangements, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and other firefighting equipment,” the attorney general added.

But the first priority is identifying the victims and bringing closure to families.

Authorities said Friday it could be days before the identities of those killed are revealed. Officials are looking into dental and DNA records because some of the bodies are unrecognizable from the burns.

Of those injured who have been formally identified, 71 are Swiss, 14 are French, 11 are Italian, and others are from Bosnia, Serbia, Portugal, and Belgium, according to officials.

A witness told the BBC he saw people burning from head to foot as he tried to help people get away from the flames.

Another witness told the BBC that she and her husband were leaving the bar when they saw people screaming and crying while being carried out on stretchers.

Outside the bar, candles and flowers covered the ground in a makeshift shrine to honor the victims.

A vigil will take place January 9 as part of a national day of mourning.