Swiss bar fire likely started by sparklers on champagne bottles, officials say | BBC News

Fire at Swiss Ski Resort Bar: Investigation Details & Safety Concerns

Key Concepts:

• PyroTechnics: The use of flammable materials, like sparklers, for visual or celebratory effects.
• Combustible Materials: Substances that easily ignite and burn. Examples include certain foams, decorations, and acoustic insulation.
• Emergency Exits: Designated routes for safe evacuation during emergencies, requiring clear signage and unobstructed access.
• Penal Liability: Legal responsibility for criminal acts, potentially leading to prosecution.
• Fire Safety Engineering: The application of engineering principles to prevent and mitigate fire hazards.
• Plexiglass: A transparent acrylic plastic often used as a lightweight alternative to glass.

I. Incident Overview & Casualties

A fire erupted at a bar in a Swiss ski resort during the early hours of New Year’s Day, resulting in 40 fatalities and over 119 injuries. The majority of the victims were young people suffering from severe burns. Identifying all victims is expected to take days or weeks. The injured include citizens from Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and Portugal.

II. Preliminary Cause of the Fire

Initial investigations suggest the fire was likely started by sparklers affixed to champagne bottles held near the ceiling. Authorities stated, “everything leads us to think that the fire started from sparkling candles or fires, sparklers which were put on bottles of champagne and that was moved too close to the ceiling. From that a blaze began quickly, very quickly and a general blaze.” While this is the primary line of inquiry, authorities are exploring other potential causes, including compliance with fire safety regulations regarding ceiling foam.

III. Legal Implications & Investigation Scope

Officials are considering potential criminal liability for those responsible, stating, “There will be the possibility or not to consider whether there is a penal liability which could affect people if that is the case and if those people are still alive. Uh there will be a case opened against them.” The investigation will encompass a thorough review of the bar’s adherence to safety standards, including the materials used in construction and decoration. The French managers of the bar have already been interviewed.

IV. Survivor Account & Evacuation Challenges

A survivor recounted a harrowing experience, describing the chaotic attempt to escape. He stated, “I was there where it started. I had my friend in my arms. She slipped. Unfortunately, today she has gone missing… I ran afterwards and we couldn't see anything.” The survivor highlighted critical issues with the evacuation process: limited visibility (“There wasn't enough light. We couldn't see at all.”) and inadequate exit capacity (“there was only a 1.5 m wide door for 200 or 300 people to get out.”). This resulted in overcrowding, suffocation, and injuries as people struggled to escape.

V. Expert Analysis: Fire Safety Concerns

Professor Edwin Galia, Director of the Fire Safety Engineering Group at the University of Greenwich, outlined key areas of investigation for a fire safety expert:

• Combustible Ceiling Materials: Determining the flammability of materials used in the ceiling area, including linings and decorations. He emphasized that if sparklers ignited the ceiling, the material must have been “highly combustible.”
• Occupancy Capacity & Emergency Exits: Verifying the bar’s licensed occupancy and ensuring an adequate number of emergency exits (at least two for over 60 people) with protected stairwells.
• Exit Accessibility: Assessing whether exits were clearly marked, unobstructed, and unlocked.
• Prohibition of PyroTechnics: Professor Galia strongly advocated for banning the use of pyroTechnics indoors, particularly in basement areas with flammable materials like acoustic insulation (specifically mentioning polyurethane foam). He noted that acoustic materials are often flammable and should not be used in such environments. He also emphasized the importance of identifying emergency exits upon entering an unfamiliar space.

VI. Visual Evidence & Verification

The BBC Verified team analyzed images and videos of the fire. Newly surfaced stills depict individuals holding champagne bottles with sparklers attached, seemingly near the point of origin of the fire. These photos corroborate the initial theory regarding the sparklers’ role in igniting the blaze. The team matched details in the photos to the interior of the nightclub, confirming their authenticity.

VII. Data & Statistics

• Fatalities: 40
• Injuries: Over 119
• Door Width: 1.5 meters (estimated capacity for evacuation was insufficient)
• Nationalities of Victims/Injured: Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and Portugal.

Conclusion:

The fire at the Swiss ski resort bar was a tragic event likely triggered by the use of sparklers indoors. The investigation is focusing on potential negligence regarding fire safety regulations, including the use of combustible materials, inadequate emergency exits, and the permissibility of pyroTechnics. The survivor account and expert analysis highlight the critical importance of proper fire safety measures, clear evacuation procedures, and proactive risk assessment in venues with large capacities and potential fire hazards. The incident underscores the need for stringent enforcement of safety standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.