Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

muriel_volestrangler

(105,520 posts)
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 04:50 AM 10 hrs ago

"Several dozen dead" in Swiss bar fire - police

Last edited Thu Jan 1, 2026, 07:07 AM - Edit history (1)


At the press conference, officials are being asked about the fire standards at Le Constellation bar and lounge, where the explosion took place, amid reports some people were “trapped” in the building. There have also been unconfirmed reports that fireworks, or pyrotechnics, might have been a cause.

The investigation is ongoing, police say, and they cannot confirm any details, but remain confident it was not a terrorist attack due to the nature of the blaze.

It was not an explosive device that caused the fire.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jan/01/switzerland-resort-explosion-dead-blast-ski-town-crans-montana-latest-news-live?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-69563fca8f083c44d70ddd7e#block-69563fca8f083c44d70ddd7e
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Several dozen dead" in Swiss bar fire - police (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler 10 hrs ago OP
Why I keep my ass home on NYE. RandySF 9 hrs ago #1
Ohh... Those poor People.. Cha 9 hrs ago #2
Haven't gone out on New Years Eve in 40 years. AZ8theist 9 hrs ago #3
More drunks out driving on New Year's Eve than any other time, it's the worst night of the year for traffic fatalities. sop 6 hrs ago #6
Around 40 people killed, Italian foreign ministry says, citing Swiss police muriel_volestrangler 8 hrs ago #4
At least 2 others like it. Old Crank 7 hrs ago #5
How was there only one exit? In 2025? BlueWaveNeverEnd 6 hrs ago #7
Donot know how many exits Old Crank 5 hrs ago #10
'During the evening, a waiter climbed onto another waiter's shoulders. 'He was holding a birthday candle, which was ver BlueWaveNeverEnd 6 hrs ago #8
Holy shit malaise 6 hrs ago #9
Former fire inspector here. Old Crank 5 hrs ago #11

AZ8theist

(7,077 posts)
3. Haven't gone out on New Years Eve in 40 years.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 05:36 AM
9 hrs ago

Never understood the point of celebrating an arbitrary date on the calender.

sop

(17,354 posts)
6. More drunks out driving on New Year's Eve than any other time, it's the worst night of the year for traffic fatalities.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 09:06 AM
6 hrs ago

muriel_volestrangler

(105,520 posts)
4. Around 40 people killed, Italian foreign ministry says, citing Swiss police
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 07:02 AM
8 hrs ago
As we've reported, Swiss authorities believe "several dozen" people have died in the fire - and say they can't be more specific.

Now, the Italian foreign ministry, citing Swiss police, say they believe around 40 people have died.

The ministry adds the victims could not be immediately identified because of the severity of their burns, Reuters reports.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8xdxvj2qjdt?post=asset%3Ab5733cca-ec8b-411c-a699-4194263ad8d0#post

Police initially said there had been an explosion, but have since referred to it as a fire and have said it is too early to speculate on the cause.

Asked about the reports of an explosion, regional security official Stéphane Ganzer said it "is not the detonation of an explosive device that causes the fire, it is the fire which, as it develops, causes an explosion and a general conflagration of the premises".

Local reports had also suggested pyrotechnics could have been involved.

The regional police commander Frédéric Gisler said smoke was first seen emanating from a bar at around 01:30 local time, at which point emergency services were called.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dvyyjyj18o

Old Crank

(6,645 posts)
5. At least 2 others like it.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 07:46 AM
7 hrs ago

The Statin fire in 2003 and one in Dublin in 1981.
The Station had White snake playing and the on stage pyrotechnics caught the foam ceiling on fire.
Over crowded place and one narrow exit.
This place looks like it was over crowded also and essentially one exit.

This being Switzerland I think some one or more might be jailed.

Old Crank

(6,645 posts)
10. Donot know how many exits
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 09:31 AM
5 hrs ago

thez had in the Zurich fire. The US fire had 2. one behind the stage that securitz blocked untill it was too late to be of use.

mz last job was fire inspector. 49 is the max occupacy for one exit. after that you need I or more depending on occupancy and thez cant be side by side. i don't know the permitted occupancz for the Zurich place. thez are also reqired to hace exit lighting. from initial reports it sounds like some codes were broken and or safetz measures not complied with.

when you go into a large room full of People realize that if there is a problem people will head to where they came in.

BlueWaveNeverEnd

(12,746 posts)
8. 'During the evening, a waiter climbed onto another waiter's shoulders. 'He was holding a birthday candle, which was ver
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 09:13 AM
6 hrs ago

A survivor of the blaze told French news channel BFM: ‘During the evening, a waiter climbed onto another waiter's shoulders.

‘He was holding a birthday candle, which was very close to the ceiling, and [the ceiling] caught fire in a couple of minutes.’

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15426427/Several-people-killed-injured-explosion-rips-bar-Swiss-ski-resort.html

Old Crank

(6,645 posts)
11. Former fire inspector here.
Thu Jan 1, 2026, 09:53 AM
5 hrs ago

i wouldn't take first reports as gospel.
I would like to know why the place had no sprinkler system.
or was ineffective. If the ceiling did catch on fire from a candle why did they allow a material with such a high flame spread to be installed or left untreated.

Now, should you be in a location like this, movie theater, large function, look for the exits when you enter. 49 people is the max for 1 exit. double doors don't count as another exit. All exit dors need to open outwards. Emergency exit signs have to be visiblr and lighted.
People tend to go out the way that they came in during an emergency. so familiarize yourself when you enter. The cosest exit to zou might be unusable during an emergency. Think ahead and stay safe.





























i

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»"Several dozen dead" in S...