On January 7, 2026, Swiss investigators announced a breakthrough in the probe into the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana: search teams recovered a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims, containing a 40-second video that documents the horrifying onset of the blaze. The footage, described by authorities as pivotal evidence, shows the rapid escalation from celebration to catastrophe inside the basement venue, where 40 lives were lost and 116 others severely injured.
The video, filmed by a young partygoer whose identity has not been released out of respect for the family, begins amid the festive atmosphere shortly after 1:30 a.m. on January 1. Revelers are seen cheering as staff carry champagne bottles topped with lit sparklers—a signature spectacle at the bar—held high, some even hoisted on shoulders for dramatic effect. Sparks shower down, illuminating smiling faces and dancing crowds. Within seconds, however, flames appear on the ceiling’s acoustic foam panels, initially small but spreading swiftly as patrons continue filming on their phones, seemingly underestimating the danger.
One young man in the clip attempts to extinguish the growing fire by beating it with a white cloth or shirt, while others nearby record the scene or keep dancing to the thumping music. The video captures shouts growing louder as black smoke billows, followed by panic: screams erupt, people surge toward exits, and the screen shakes violently before cutting off abruptly at 40 seconds—likely as the owner dropped the device in the chaos.
Prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud of the Valais canton confirmed the video’s authenticity during a press briefing, noting it aligns with multiple witness accounts and other social media clips that surfaced earlier. “This footage provides a clear timeline of how the fire ignited and spread,” she said. “It shows sparklers coming into contact with the ceiling materials, leading to immediate combustion.” Authorities emphasized that the recovered phone was found among debris in the basement, where most victims perished from smoke inhalation, burns, or being trampled in the crush.
Contrary to early rumors circulating on social media—fueled by witness descriptions of a “big bang” or explosion—the video and forensic analysis rule out any primary explosive device or deliberate act. Instead, experts attribute the loud detonation reported by survivors to a “flashover”: a rapid phenomenon where superheated gases and flammable materials ignite simultaneously, creating an explosive-like burst. Fire safety consultant Olivier Burnier explained, “In confined spaces with non-fire-retardant foam, temperatures soar quickly. The fire seeks oxygen, resulting in what sounds and feels like an explosion.” Terrorism has been definitively excluded.
The sparkler theory, first proposed days ago, is now solidified as the leading cause. Promotional videos from the bar itself, including one uploaded in 2024, depict similar displays with staff in neon-rimmed helmets parading fizzing bottles. Witnesses recounted seeing a waitress elevated on a colleague’s shoulders, bringing the sparklers perilously close to the low ceiling during the midnight celebrations. The acoustic foam, installed during a 2015 renovation, proved highly combustible, fueling the flames’ ferocious spread.
This tragedy has exposed glaring safety oversights. Le Constellation, owned by French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti since 2015, had not undergone a mandated fire inspection since 2019—despite annual requirements for venues of its size. Mayor Nicolas Féraud admitted the lapse, expressing “bitter regret,” while announcing an immediate ban on indoor pyrotechnics and external audits for all local establishments. A criminal probe targets the owners for potential negligence, including involuntary homicide and failure to ensure compliant materials, exits, and occupancy limits.
The human toll remains heartbreaking. Victims, predominantly teenagers (26 under 18, youngest 14), hailed from Switzerland (21), France (9), Italy (6), and other nations. Identification, hampered by severe burns, concluded by January 5. Survivors like 17-year-old Axel Clavier described smashing windows to escape, losing friends in the melee. Paolo Campolo, a local father hailed as a hero, pried open a jammed door after his daughter’s call, saving several lives despite smoke inhalation.
Crans-Montana, a glamorous Alpine resort known for skiing and golf, is shrouded in grief. Makeshift memorials overflow with flowers, candles, and messages. A national day of mourning on January 9 will feature church bells and silence. Switzerland halted revisions to fire standards pending this investigation’s outcomes, vowing stricter enforcement nationwide.
As families repatriate remains—Italian coffins flown home with honors—the 40-second clip serves as a stark warning. What began as sparkling joy ended in unspeakable loss, underscoring how quickly festivity can turn fatal when safety is neglected. Investigators continue analyzing recovered phones and videos, seeking justice and lessons to prevent repetition.
In the words of one survivor: “We thought it was part of the show… until it wasn’t.” The Alps’ serene peaks now echo with calls for change, ensuring the 40 voices silenced that night propel meaningful reform.
