Memorial Fire in Crans-Montana
A memorial dedicated to the victims of the tragic fire in Switzerland caught fire early on Sunday, with police indicating that burning candles left inside the tribute were the probable cause.
The tribute was established to honor the 41 individuals who lost their lives and the 115 who were injured in the blaze that broke out during the early hours of 1 January at Le Constellation bar, located in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana. The venue was crowded mainly with teenagers and young adults at the time of the incident.
This makeshift memorial, adorned with flowers, candles, and messages of condolence, had been placed near the site of the tragedy.
Regional police from Switzerland’s southwestern canton of Valais reported in a statement that the memorial caught fire shortly before 6am on Sunday.
Swiss public broadcaster RTS aired images on Sunday showing the blackened top of a white, igloo-shaped tarpaulin erected over the memorial to shield it from weather conditions. The damaged structure was visible behind a white screen and police tape.
Emergency Response and Damage
Authorities confirmed that emergency services responded swiftly, bringing the fire under control quickly.
“Thanks to the rapid intervention of the emergency services, the fire was quickly brought under control,”
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire at the memorial. However, police noted that several commemorative items were damaged by the flames.
A large book of remembrance, which contained messages of condolence left by visitors over the past five weeks, was saved from the fire, according to the police statement.
Investigation and Cause
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the blaze at the memorial. Initially, the tribute had been positioned directly in front of the burned-out bar but was recently relocated slightly farther away.
“According to initial reports, the fire started near the candles placed on a table in the centre of the memorial,”
“At this stage, third-party involvement can be ruled out.”
Background on the Bar Fire
Authorities have established that the original fire at Le Constellation on New Year’s Day began when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were raised too close to the ceiling in the crowded bar, igniting sound insulation foam.
The French couple who co-owned the bar, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been charged with manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Additionally, Crans-Montana’s head of public safety and a former local fire safety officer are under criminal investigation related to the bar fire. It was revealed that the bar had not undergone the mandatory annual fire inspections since 2019.
Community Reaction
Following weeks of intense criticism directed at local and regional authorities regarding their handling of the crisis and investigation, family members of the victims expressed dismay upon learning about the fire at the memorial.
“What to say?” Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose 16-year-old son Arthur Brodard was among those who perished at Le Constellation, posted on Facebook over a link to a report about the memorial fire. “It is the municipality’s responsibility to ensure a memorial that is secure.”
