Sparklers may have led to deadly New Year's Swiss resort bar fire, investigators say

[ad_1] Investigators probing the lethal New 12 months's Day fireplace at a Swiss resort bar are trying into the likelihood that it began from sparklers that had been too near the ceiling.

Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Legal professional Basic, advised reporters Friday that investigators had been nonetheless conducting interviews and going by proof from the wreckage on the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana however she mentioned that they're "pursuing a number of hypotheses," primarily based on the proof they've gathered to date.

<img alt="PHOTO: This photograph shows the entrance of the bar Le Constellation where a fire ripped through the venue during New Year's celebrations, killing around 40 people and injuring more than 100 others, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026. " class="hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/33ab8e36-ffe2-4242-839c-b43a16b26aa8/switzerland-fire-sign-gty-jt-260102_1767368539610_hpMain.jpg"/> This {photograph} reveals the doorway of the bar Le Constellation the place a hearth ripped by the venue throughout New 12 months's celebrations, killing round 40 individuals and injuring greater than 100 others, within the Alpine ski-resort city of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026.

Maxime Schmid/AFP through Getty Pictures

"We at present assume that the fireplace was brought on by sparklers connected to champagne bottles that got here too near the ceiling," she mentioned at a information convention.

"Preliminary proof has been secured on the scene," Pilloud added.

Forty individuals had been killed and 119 individuals had been injured within the blaze, based on authorities who mentioned the fireplace unfold very quickly.

Investigators are working to establish the deceased victims.

<img alt="PHOTO: Pierre-Antoine Lengen, head of the Swiss Judicial Police, speaks during a press conference following a fire at the "Le Constellation" bar, during a New Year's Eve party in Crans-Montana, in Sion, Switzerland, Jan. 2, 2026. " class="hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI " data-testid="prism-image" draggable="false" loading="lazy" src="https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/d4c7bda3-e15c-425b-9e8e-e1989c929bd6/swiss-fire-presser-rt-jt-260102_1767369445467_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg"/> Pierre-Antoine Lengen, head of the Swiss Judicial Police, speaks throughout a press convention following a hearth and an explosion on the "Le Constellation" bar, throughout a New 12 months's Eve celebration within the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, in Sion, Switzerland, Jan. 2, 2026.

Lisa Leutner/Reuters

"No errors could be permitted. We have to give the proper stays again to the households," Pierre-Antoine Lengen, the pinnacle of the Swiss Judicial Police, advised reporters.

Of the injured, 71 had been Swiss residents, 14 had been French, 11 had been Italian, and others had been from Bosnia, Serbia, Portugal and Belgium, based on officers.

Mourners lay flowers and candles close to the bar Le Constellation the place a hearth ripped by the venue throughout New 12 months's celebrations, killing round 40 individuals and injuring greater than 100 others, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026.

Maxime Schmid/AFP through Getty Pictures

The nationalities of the 14 different injured victims weren't instantly decided.

Pilloud mentioned that extra interviews can be carried out and famous that investigators spoke with the 2 French managers of the bar.

Cops stand guard close to the bar Le Constellation, the place a hearth ripped by the venue throughout New 12 months's celebrations, killing round 40 individuals and injuring greater than 100 others, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026.

Maxime Schmid/AFP through Getty Pictures

"For now, there is no such thing as a penal legal responsibility which has been recognized," she mentioned when a reporter requested about any legal responsibility.

Cops examine the world the place a hearth broke out on the Le Constellation bar and lounge throughout a New 12 months's celebration, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 1, 2026.