Home / Disasters and Accidents / Swiss Bar Fire: Sparklers Ignite Tragedy, Leaving Dozens Injured
Swiss Bar Fire: Sparklers Ignite Tragedy, Leaving Dozens Injured
1 Feb
Summary
- A fire at a popular Swiss bar injured 116 people, many critically.
- Sparklers on champagne bottles likely ignited ceiling foam, starting the blaze.
- Bar owners and public safety officials face negligence charges.
A tragic fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a popular venue for young patrons, resulted in 116 injuries and a significant number of victims requiring extensive medical care. Eight individuals under the age of 16 were among those injured, with many still hospitalized for severe burns. As of Monday, 44 patients were being treated in medical facilities across France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium, while 37 remained in Swiss hospitals.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was sparked by champagne bottle sparklers that ignited soundproof foam lining the basement ceiling. Authorities have acknowledged that the bar had not undergone safety checks for five years. Consequently, the bar's owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face charges including manslaughter and arson by negligence. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated against the municipality's head of public safety and a former fire safety inspector. Jessica Moretti is subject to a travel ban, while Jacques Moretti is in custody.
