Sparkler candles on champagne bottles revealed as likely cause of Swiss ski resort fire that killed 40

A devastating fire that killed 40 people in a bar at a ski resort in Switzerland on New Year’s Day was likely caused by sparkler candles on champagne bottlers, officials have said.

At least 40 people have been killed and 119 injured after the blaze tore through the Le Constellation bar at the Crans-Montana resort in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Swiss authorities said that the fountain candles – also known as “flares” – were placed on champagne bottles and appear to have caught fire when moved too close to the ceiling.

The candles, available at general retail stores and also used for birthdays, led to a flashover incident where the fire spread “very rapidly”.

Dramatic pictures and footage circulating on social media appear to show the ceiling of Le Constellation bar catching fire after the bottles were carried above the heads of partygoers.

Young people are seen trying to put the blaze out with their clothing as the fire spreads rapidly.

“Everything suggests that the fire started from the burning candles or ‘Bengal lights’ that had been attached to champagne bottles,” attorney general and local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told a news conference on Friday. “From there, a rapid, very rapid and widespread conflagration ensued.”

She added that while the theory was considered “likely”, it was not yet confirmed and investigations are ongoing.

Investigations will also inspect whether the ceiling’s insulation foam was to blame for the rapid spread of the blaze.

Meanwhile, the first victim of the incident was named on Friday as Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old golfer from Italy, who was living in Dubai.

The Italian Golf Federation said it mourned the death of “a young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values” in a statement.

Identification of the remaining victims could take days, if not weeks due, to the severity of the burns inflicted.

The vast majority of those taken into hospital to treat their injuries are in a “serious” or “critical” condition, authorities said.

“Many of those injured are still fighting for their lives today,” Valais area regional chief Mathias Reynard said.

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