The “Le Constellation” bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has not undergone any fire safety checks for the past five years, the town's mayor, Nicolas Feraud, said on Tuesday.
The fire in Crans Montana PHOTO: Profimedia
“There were no inspections between 2020 and 2025,” stated the mayor Nicolas Feraud.
In 2025, the only assessment carried out was an acoustic one, which did not raise any objections. The mayor added that he deeply regrets the lack of controls.
“We deeply regret this. We had no indication that checks had not been carried out,” said the mayor, according to Agerpres.
Fire checks should have been carried out annually, with the bar's last inspection in 2019 showing positive results. At the time, soundproof foam on the ceiling had been deemed acceptable, and a fire alarm was not required due to the bar's dimensions.
“There were never any checks on this sound-absorbing foam. Our security agents didn't think it was necessary,” Feraud also said.
The mayor emphasized that the current legislation does not require the verification of the materials used in public spaces, such as bars, and the owners did not thus violate the regulations in force.
The authorities have meanwhile withdrawn the operating license for a second restaurant run by the same owners in Crans-Montana.
Investigators believe the fire, which occurred during a New Year's Eve party, was started by sparks from fireworks that ignited foam insulation on the ceiling. The flames spread quickly, blocking access for many attendees.
Forty people from seven different countries lost their lives in the devastating fire. Of these, 26 were between 14 and 18 years old. Some victims were burned beyond recognition and could only be identified through DNA analysis. An 18-year-old Romanian is also among the victims. 116 injured, most of them in serious condition, are currently being treated in hospitals abroad.
The mayor announced that, following the incident, the use of fireworks inside the premises was prohibited.
According to the authorities, the bar had a capacity of 100 people in the basement and another 100 on the covered terrace, but it is not known if the limit was exceeded on the night of the tragedy.
Witnesses stated that at the time of the fire, there was a long queue of young people waiting to enter.
Switzerland will mark a day of national mourning on Friday, January 9, following the overnight fire in a bar in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana.
