Crans-Montana Ski Resort Fire 2026: How a Sparkler Turned a Party into a Tragedy

A single spark ignited a nightmare. At least 40 people are dead and hundreds injured after a lethal fire tore through Le Constellation, a popular ski resort bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during a New Year's Eve celebration. What started as a festive toast ended in a devastating flashover that has shocked the global community.

The Smoking Gun: Sparklers Near the Ceiling

According to the BBC, Swiss authorities have identified the exact cause of the blaze. Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais attorney general, stated that sparklers attached to champagne bottles likely made contact with the soundproof foam on the ceiling. A haunting photo verified by investigators shows flames spreading across the basement ceiling while partygoers below remained unaware of the impending danger.

The fire triggered a flashover, a phenomenon where every combustible surface in the room ignites simultaneously. The Valais Canton Police confirmed that 113 of the injured have been identified, including 71 Swiss citizens.

Filming vs. Fleeing: A Social Media Controversy

Survivors' accounts paint a harrowing picture of the aftermath. Ferdinand Du Beaudiez, a 19-year-old student, described a narrow staircase where people were trapped and suffocated by fumes. While some acted heroically, netizens have heavily criticized those who chose to record the fire on their phones instead of escaping or helping others.

"They all pulled out phones and started recording instead of running," one social media user noted, highlighting a disturbing trend in modern crisis situations. Investigators are now shifting their focus to the bar's safety permits and the materials used in its construction.