Champagne sparklers caused deadly Crans-Montana bar fire, Swiss authorities say

Swiss authorities said on Friday that sparkler candles placed on top of Champagne bottles likely caused the deadly fire that tore through a crowded bar at the ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“It would appear that the fire started from sparkler candles, otherwise known as flares, which were placed on top of Champagne bottles,” Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud told a news conference.

“These flares were taken too close to the ceiling,” she said. “This led to what is referred to as a flashover incident, where the fire spread very rapidly.”