Emma and Albane, two young French women, escaped quickly from the bar “La Constellation” in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where a tragic fire broke out on New Year’s Eve, claiming numerous lives. They recounted the chaotic moments of panic when flames first emerged.
“It was pure panic, everyone was screaming,” Emma said, recalling the terror experienced by the crowd as they realized the danger. The fire reportedly originated from birthday candles placed by servers on champagne bottles. Despite no official confirmation, the general prosecutor of the Valais canton indicated that the fire was likely accidental, without providing more specifics.
Emma explained, “One of the candles got too close to the ceiling, which caught fire quickly. Within seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze. Everything was made of wood.”
They described how people inside the bar began to flee in terror as the flames escalated, leading to a dramatic rush for the exits. The bar was located in the basement while the fire spread rapidly to the upper floor. Emma pointed out, “The exit was quite small considering the number of people inside. Someone had to break a window to help everyone escape.”
Firefighters and police arrived on the scene just minutes after the fire started, acting quickly to manage the situation. “The flames were just a meter away from us; had we not run, we likely would have been injured too,” Emma noted.
Albane shared her own distressing experience of being “thrown down the stairs” by the surge of people, injuring her knee in the process. Although the full details regarding the victims, including their identities and total numbers, remain unclear, the women estimated that about 200 individuals, including minors aged 15 to 20, were present in the venue that night.
This devastating incident highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in crowded venues, particularly during celebratory events. The community’s response and the swift action of the emergency services stand as a testament to the resilience in the face of such a tragic situation.