"Investigators probing the New Year's blaze at Le Constellation bar believe it began when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were held up too close to ceiling covered with insulation foam, which then caught alight before rapidly spreading. The French couple who co-owned the bar, Jacques and Jessica M.*, are facing charges of manslaughter, bodily harm and arson, all by negligence."
"Valais police said a call that a fire had broken out was received shortly before 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) and that the Crans-Montana fire brigade immediately responded. "Thanks to the immediate intervention of the emergency services, the fire was extinguished within a very short time. No one was injured," Valais police said in a statement. Police said that several objects were damaged by the flames but the book of condolences had been preserved."
A makeshift tribute inside a white tent for the 41 victims of the Crans-Montana New Year’s Eve blaze, where mourners had placed flowers, candles and soft toys, caught fire early on Sunday. More than 100 mainly young people were injured in the original blaze, some seriously. Valais police received a call shortly before 06:00 and the local fire brigade extinguished the memorial fire quickly with no injuries. Several objects were damaged but the book of condolences was preserved. Initial findings indicate the fire started in the area of candles on a central table and third-party involvement is currently ruled out. Investigators believe the original bar fire began when champagne bottles with sparklers were held too close to a ceiling covered in insulation foam; the bar co-owners face charges and local safety officials are under investigation, with mandatory annual inspections missing between 2020 and 2025.
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