Chilling new footage has emerged showing the exact moment a festive sparkler is believed to have ignited a catastrophic fire at a Swiss ski resort bar, leading to one of the country's deadliest modern disasters.
The Moment Disaster Struck
The inferno at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana erupted at around 1.30am on January 1, 2026, as young revellers celebrated the New Year. Witnesses reported seeing waiting staff carrying champagne bottles topped with sparkling flares just before the blaze began.
Video taken inside the venue captures the horrifying instant when sparks from one such bottle appear to set the ceiling alight. The footage shows the flames taking hold with terrifying speed, spreading rapidly across the ceiling as patrons watched from below. In the initial moments, some attendees were seen pulling out mobile phones to record the fire, with lights and music still blaring in the background.
Desperate Attempts to Extinguish the Flames
The newly released footage also shows one individual making a frantic but futile attempt to beat out the fire with a cloth, while others stand nearby. The fire ultimately claimed about 47 lives and left more than 115 people injured, in a tragedy that has shocked Switzerland and the international community.
Following the statements from early witnesses, Swiss investigators have confirmed the sparkler theory is a leading hypothesis. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general of Valais, stated that while no scenario is being ruled out, the current assumption is that the fire was caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling.
Ongoing Investigation and Criminal Liability
"This caused the fire to spread quickly. Initial evidence has been secured at the scene," Ms Pilloud said. She also commented on the social media footage from the incident's initial moments, suggesting it was filmed by people "who wanted to help".
When questioned about interviews with the bar's French owners, the attorney clarified that no criminal liability has yet been determined in relation to the incident. She confirmed that individuals interviewed so far have not been questioned under caution, adding that necessary measures could be taken if any flight risk emerged.
The investigation into the precise cause and any potential failings in safety procedures continues as the community mourns its devastating loss.
