Swiss Bar Fire Probe: 'Fountain Candle' Sparklers Suspected as Cause of 40 Fatalities

A devastating fire at a Swiss ski resort bar has claimed at least 40 lives, with investigators pointing to 'fountain candle' sparklers as a likely cause. The sparklers, attached to champagne bottles, were held too close to the ceiling, sparking a rapid and widespread blaze in the early hours of New Year's Day. According to Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais canton's chief prosecutor, all signs point to the burning sparklers as the origin of the fire. 'Everything suggests that the fire started from the burning sparklers ... that had been attached to champagne bottles and were moved too close to the ceiling,' Pilloud said. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple hypotheses being explored. Officials are examining the bar's renovations, safety measures, and previous inspections to determine whether any regulations were breached. The probe will also assess the role of acoustic-dampening foam in the ceiling of the basement, which may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The bar's owners, a French couple, claim that the renovations were carried out in accordance with regulations and that the establishment had been inspected three times in 10 years. However, investigators are still pursuing several leads and have not ruled out any scenarios. Pilloud emphasized that the investigation will determine whether there are grounds for criminal liability involving any individuals. 'If this is indeed the case and these individuals are still alive, an investigation will be opened against them for negligent arson, negligent homicide, and negligent bodily injury,' she said.