Swiss bar fire: Mayor says venue had not been inspected since 2019

The mayor of Crans-Montana said the Le Constellation bar, where a New Year's fire killed 40 and injured at least 116, last passed a safety inspection in 2019; authorities have opened investigations into the blaze and the people who ran the venue.

A New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort killed 40 people and injured at least 116. The mayor said the venue's last annual safety inspection was completed in 2019 and that certain ceiling soundproof panels had never been inspected. Prosecutors have reported the blaze was likely started by sparkling candles that ignited the ceiling material. Key reported points: - Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said the bar last passed an inspection in 2019 and had not undergone the expected annual checks since then. - Prosecutors reported the fire was likely triggered by sparkling candles igniting soundproof ceiling foam. - Authorities said 40 people died and at least 116 were injured, and investigations are under way into the two people who ran the bar on suspicion including homicide by negligence; they were not arrested at this stage. - Local officials announced extra venue inspections and said courts would have to determine whether the ceiling materials should have been checked despite current legal requirements. Summary: Officials reported a large and deadly fire at the Le Constellation bar and said the venue had not had annual checks since 2019. Investigations into the cause and the operators are under way, and local safety teams will carry out additional inspections; the role of courts in determining any legal obligations about material checks has been noted. Undetermined at this time.