Deadly Swiss Bar Fire: Viral Photos, Videos Point To Ceiling Foam, Sparklers As Possible Triggers

Last Updated:January 02, 2026, 10:23 IST

Viral photos and eyewitness claims point to sparklers and soundproofing foam as possible triggers, but officials say the investigation is ongoing.

A photo going viral on social media appears to show people holding sparklers inside the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana shortly before the deadly New Year fire. The image has been widely shared online amid claims about what may have triggered the blaze. News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the photo. (IMAGE: X/@visegrad24) - Algorithmically enhanced image

Social media posts circulating after the deadly New Year’s fire at a Swiss ski resort bar have claimed to show how the blaze may have started, even as investigators continue to examine the cause of one of the country’s worst peacetime disasters.

A photo shared on X by Visegrád 24 purported to show the early moments of the fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, claiming that soundproofing foam in the ceiling was accidentally set alight. Another widely circulated post by commentator Mario Nawfal cited witness accounts alleging that a champagne bottle topped with sparklers was raised too close to the venue’s low ceiling, triggering the blaze.

News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the images, videos or claims circulating on social media. Swiss authorities have not confirmed any of these accounts.

The fire, which broke out around 1:30 am on New Year’s Day, has killed at least 47 people and injured more than 100 others, many of them seriously.

During an earlier press briefing, Valais canton attorney general Béatrice Pilloud said investigators were examining several hypotheses, with particular focus on whether a flashover may have caused the rapid spread of the fire.

“There are a lot of circumstances to clarify. Several hypotheses were put forward," Pilloud said. “The main theory we’re prioritising is a flashover that provoked a rapid explosion. Several witnesses have been heard and telephones recovered from the scene are being analysed."

A flashover refers to a phenomenon in which hot gases accumulate near the ceiling of a confined space, sharply increasing temperatures until all combustible materials ignite almost simultaneously. According to the US-based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this can result in an extremely rapid and uncontrollable fire.

“Flashover is when you no longer have objects in the room on fire. The room is on fire," Steve Kerber, vice president and executive director of the Fire Safety Research Institute, told US broadcaster CNN.

Authorities have stressed that the incident is not being treated as terror-related. Investigators are also examining whether the bar complied with fire safety regulations, including ceiling materials, interior insulation and the number of available exits.

Le Constellation, a popular venue with young tourists, was operating at near capacity during New Year celebrations when the fire broke out. Emergency services worked through the night, deploying ambulances and rescue helicopters to evacuate the injured.

Officials have warned that identifying all victims could take days or weeks, as some bodies were badly burned and will require DNA and dental analysis. Due to Crans-Montana’s international profile, several foreign nationals are among the dead and injured.

The investigation remains ongoing.

News world Deadly Swiss Bar Fire: Viral Photos, Videos Point To Ceiling Foam, Sparklers As Possible Triggers

Read More