A ski resort bar in Switzerland where a New Year’s fire killed 40 people and injured 116 had not undergone a single mandatory safety inspection in the five years preceding the tragedy. This admission came from Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud, who expressed profound sorrow but could not explain the catastrophic oversight.
“We regret that—we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility,” Feraud stated at a news conference. He announced that sparklers, believed to have ignited the fire, are now banned in local venues. An external contractor will audit all 128 establishments in the area.
Systemic Failures and Criminal Investigation
When pressed repeatedly, he admitted, “I have no answer for you today.” He confirmed he would not resign, saying it would be “down to the judges” to determine if local authorities face charges in the ongoing criminal investigation.
Prosecutors believe the fire started when New Year’s revelers raised champagne bottles with sparklers, igniting flammable soundproofing foam on the basement ceiling. Feraud called the combination of foam and sparklers “extremely negligent.”
Capacity and Exit Concerns
The bar was reportedly far over its 200-person legal capacity during the incident. While the venue had emergency exits designed for 100 people per floor, the mayor did not know if the basement exit was functional. Survivor accounts describe chaos and crowding on the basement staircase.
Investigators are now examining the foam’s material, emergency exit compliance, and door signage. A 2019 video showed partygoers with sparklers near the foam, with an employee warning them to be careful. Feraud lamented that the council was unaware of the footage at the time.
“There were never any checks on this foam. Our security agents did not consider it necessary,” Feraud said.
This five-year inspection gap highlights a potential breakdown in the system’s implementation, with devastating consequences.
