Shocking new footage has emerged showing the exact moment a New Year's Eve celebration turned into a deadly inferno at a popular Swiss ski resort bar. The video, taken inside the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, captures the instant a festive sparkler appears to set the ceiling alight, leading to one of Switzerland's worst modern fire tragedies.
The Moment Disaster Struck
The fire broke out at around 1.30am on January 1, 2026, as the bar, filled mostly with young adults, was in the midst of festive celebrations. Witnesses reported seeing waiting staff carrying bottles of champagne topped with sparkling flares shortly before the blaze began. The newly released video shows sparks from one such item coming into contact with the ceiling decoration, which then rapidly caught fire.
Despite the grave danger, the initial reaction from some revellers was muted, with many pulling out their phones to record the flames as music and lights continued in the background. The footage shows the fire spreading across the ceiling with terrifying speed, engulfing the area in a matter of seconds. In one poignant scene, a person can be seen desperately but unsuccessfully trying to bat out the flames with a cloth.
Investigation Points to Sparkler Hypothesis
Swiss authorities have confirmed that the sparkler theory is a leading line of enquiry. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general of Valais, stated that investigators are working on "several hypotheses" but are focusing on the likelihood that sparklers attached to champagne bottles came too close to the ceiling.
"We currently assume that the fire was caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling," Ms Pilloud said. "This caused the fire to spread quickly. Initial evidence has been secured at the scene." She added that no scenario is being ruled out at this stage.
The attorney general also addressed the social media footage, noting that videos appeared to have been filmed by people "who wanted to help". She confirmed that the analysis of this material is ongoing.
Aftermath and Ongoing Probe
The devastating fire at Le Constellation bar resulted in the loss of approximately 47 lives and left more than 115 people injured. When questioned about the bar's French owners, Ms Pilloud clarified that no criminal liability has yet been determined in connection with the incident.
"The people who have been interviewed, they are not interviewed under caution," she explained. "If there is a flight risk, it is possible for us to take the necessary measures, but for the moment no criminal liability has been determined." The investigation by Swiss officials continues as they piece together the final, tragic events of that New Year's celebration.
