Heroic witness reveals tragic scene they saw during Swiss ski resort bar fire
News broke of a fire starting and spreading through a Swiss ski resort bar on New Year's Eve and witnesses have now emerged to tell their side of events.
On Wednesday night, people were partying the night away to welcome 2026 at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.
But shortly after the new year arrived, a horrific turn of events took place, claiming the lives of at least 40 individuals, with a further 100 injured, according to the Italian foreign ministry.
Regional police commander Frédéric Gisler revealed in an announcement that 'dozens of people are presumed to have died' after it was suggested by witnesses that 'birthday sparklers' ignited a large-scale fire.
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Chief Gisler said that '100 or so' people were injured with some being 'significantly' wounded from burns, with police fearing that the death toll could rise in the coming days.
The official cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed by Swiss authorities.
Said to have erupted around 1.30am, a local police spokesman said that 'dozens of pyrotechnic devices in bottles' were put on tables in the bar.
Speaking to BFM TV, French nationals Emma and Labane claimed: "One of them [candles] was held too close to the ceiling, which caught fire. In a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze.
"Everything was made of wood."
A particularly brave eyewitness has since told the BBC that he swiftly took action after he realised that smoke was filling the night sky.
The man said that he ran over to the venue after seeing smoke coming from it, explaining: "It’s very disturbing because I went in this bar every day in the week… just the day I don’t go, it burned."
He said he smashed a window open and grabbed as many bargoers as he could and dragged them away from the danger, recalling that when he was in there, he saw people 'burning from head to foot, no clothes anymore'.
Calling the event 'very shocking', dozens of firefighters soon showed up to take over the rescue mission, with the unnamed man sticking around to offer clothes and water to the injured, even giving his jacket to one of the wounded victims.
When asked about his actions, he explained that he was afraid his little brother might have been trapped inside.
Eyewitness Bastien Frema recalled of the night: "People were screaming. I saw people with burnt clothing shredded, hanging off them.
"People were yelling, trying to get help. We couldn’t do anything."
Others said it was 'mayhem', while one survivor tragically revealed to AFP that he hasn't heard from some of his friends since the fire.
He recalled there being 'trapped' and not being able to see 'because of the smoke'.
"I was alone and didn’t know how I could do it, but I managed to break a window and get out through the window. Half of my clothes were gone, it was crazy," the witness added.
"I was in the basement. Me and my friends were having fun, unfortunately some of our friends are no longer with us because of the fire."
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: "Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana.
"We will continue to monitor the situation, and our consular staff stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected."
Meanwhile, State Council President Mathias Reynard said of the tragedy: "This evening should have been a moment of celebration – it turned into a nightmare that cost the lives of many people."
No Brits have been identified in the aftermath, but two French nationals were said to have sustained injuries.
Police confirmed that over 300 people can be held in the bar, which is reportedly located in the basement.
Topics: World News
Joshua Nair