Dozens presumed dead in fire at Swiss Alps bar during New Year's celebration

"Dozens of people are presumed dead and about 100 injured, most of them seriously, following a fire at a Swiss Alps bar during a New Year's celebration, police said Thursday. "Several tens of people" were killed at the bar, Le Constellation, Valais Canton police commander Frederic Gisler said. Work is underway to identify the victims and inform their families but "that will take time and for the time being it is premature to give you a more precise figure," Gisler said."

"Officials called the blaze an "embrasement generalise," a firefighting term describing how a blaze can trigger the release of combustible gases that can then ignite violently and cause what English-speaking firefighters would call a flashover or a backdraft. "This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare," said Mathias Renard, head of the regional government."

A fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana during New Year's celebrations left several dozen people presumed dead and about 100 injured, most seriously. Victim identification is underway and notifying families will take time, so the exact death toll remains uncertain. The cause of the fire is not yet determined and experts have not been able to enter the wreckage. Authorities said there is no indication of any attack. Firefighters described the blaze as an embrasement generalise, a rapid ignition from released combustible gases. Regional hospitals reached full capacity and helicopters and ambulances responded to assist victims.

Read at www.npr.org