Swiss investigators trying to identify the cause of a bar fire that killed dozens of people say the blaze was likely started by sparklers set off inside the bar.
The fire broke out at around 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana in Switzerland. Local police say it left about 40 people dead and more than 100 injured.
Police and other investigative authorities told reporters on Friday that the fire is likely to have been caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles, which came too close to the ceiling of the bar.
A 19-year-old man who was at the bar when the fire broke out spoke to reporters.
He said someone supposedly ordered champagne bottles and he saw waitresses carry the bottles on their shoulders with the sparklers attached.
Footage and photos reportedly taken by the man’s younger brother show the champagne bottles with sparklers being carried aloft just before the blaze broke out, and later the ceiling on fire.
The man said he tried to escape to ground level from the basement by stairs, but the single staircase was packed with people fleeing.
He said it was terrifying and felt like a war scene.
Local authorities said 119 people were injured, many seriously. They said some of the injured were transferred to nearby countries, including France and Italy, for treatment.
The authorities said they also interviewed the bar owners. They plan to investigate safety management measures, such as the installation of fire extinguishers and securing of evacuation routes.
Translate This Article
