Le Constellation

Le Constellation operated as a year-round bar, nightclub, and café in Crans-Montana, a resort town in Valais, Switzerland. Its customer base was described as largely local and relatively young. Unlike some resort nightlife venues, it generally did not charge an entrance fee. The premises included a ground-floor area, a basement nightclub, a terrace, a shisha and smoking section, and screens for sports broadcasts. Reported capacity figures varied: one description gave approximately 300 places across the two indoor levels and 40 on the terrace, while other official or municipal references discussed a lower authorised capacity. Jacques and Jessica Moretti acquired the establishment and remodelled it in 2015. The couple, originally from Corsica, also owned other businesses in the area. The renovation reportedly involved the terrace, staircase, interior layout, and installation of acoustic foam or similar sound-absorbing panels. Later reporting raised questions about whether the interior changes had been formally authorised. Architectural documents made public in January 2026 indicated that a 2025 permit application concerned earlier works and that no publicly available interior permit application could be located for some of the changes attributed to the 2015 renovation. Before the fire, the venue was the subject of mixed public commentary. Media reports referred to online complaints about poor treatment of employees and a lack of professionalism. The bar also promoted celebratory effects involving sparks or flames. Footage from New Year's celebrations in 2019–2020 later showed lit effects being raised near the basement ceiling, with an employee apparently warning customers about the foam. This footage became relevant to questions about staff training and whether management understood the risk associated with combustible or inadequately protected ceiling materials. The venue's history changed decisively on 1 January 2026. At about 1:26 a.m., during New Year's celebrations, a fire began while champagne bottles carrying lit sparklers or gerbs were being held aloft. Swiss authorities said the available evidence made this the leading explanation, although the full cause and responsibility remained matters for the investigation. The flames spread in seconds. Fire experts and officials considered whether acoustic foam, the building's configuration, smoke conditions, and a possible flashover contributed to the speed and lethality of the fire. Many people were in the basement area. Survivors and witnesses described difficulties escaping through a narrow stairway and doors, while some people broke windows to get out. The accessibility of an emergency exit, the storage or availability of extinguishers, the inward-opening main exit, and the apparent narrowing of the staircase were all examined. Reports also questioned whether the venue's promotional capacity figures exceeded its authorised occupancy and whether age restrictions for minors in alcohol-serving premises were followed. Emergency services deployed police, firefighters, ambulances, helicopters, and medical triage facilities. The final toll was 41 deaths and 116 injuries. A large number of injured people required treatment for severe burns, overwhelming intensive-care and specialist burn capacity in Valais and elsewhere in Switzerland. Twenty-four patients were transferred to hospitals in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland through European emergency-assistance arrangements. Victim identification involved DNA, fingerprint, dental, and family records. The disaster led to a national day of mourning and sustained public scrutiny of the venue, its operators, municipal oversight, and Swiss fire-safety enforcement. Authorities stated that the bar had undergone fire-related inspections in 2016, 2018, and 2019, but that no inspection had taken place after 2019 despite an expectation of annual checks. Municipal officials said earlier inspections had identified only limited issues and acknowledged shortcomings in oversight. The investigation also considered whether the ceiling material met regulatory requirements, whether exits and fire systems were compliant, and whether indoor pyrotechnics had been authorised. Because the supplied material does not provide a final court judgment or a confirmed post-fire operating decision, the venue's present legal and commercial status remains unknown.

• 2026

  Fatal New Year's Day fire

  [1]2026 Crans-Montana bar fireen.wikipedia.org

  A fire during New Year's celebrations killed 41 people and injured 116, prompting a criminal investigation and extensive scrutiny of fire safety and venue management.

• 2026

  National day of mourning

  [1]2026 Crans-Montana bar fireen.wikipedia.org

  Switzerland held a national day of mourning on 9 January for the victims.

• 2019

  Last reported pre-fire fire inspection

  [1]2026 Crans-Montana bar fireen.wikipedia.org

  The venue's last reported fire inspection before the disaster took place in 2019. Officials later said the acoustic foam was not specifically checked at that time.

• 2016

  Fire inspection

  [1]2026 Crans-Montana bar fireen.wikipedia.org

  The municipality conducted a fire-safety inspection and required unspecified changes.

• 2015

  Moretti couple acquires and remodels the venue

  [1]2026 Crans-Montana bar fireen.wikipedia.org

  Jacques and Jessica Moretti acquired Le Constellation and reportedly carried out remodelling that included changes to the premises and installation of acoustic material.

A local-oriented, informal nightlife and hospitality venue in the Crans-Montana resort area, combining bar, café, nightclub, social, and sports-viewing functions.

• Hospitality

  Bar services

  Le Constellation's core activity was beverage-led hospitality, including alcoholic drinks and champagne service in a casual nightlife setting. The venue also functioned as a café and social meeting place for local customers.

• Nightlife

  Nightclub and entertainment

  The venue operated a basement nightclub and hosted late-night celebrations. Its entertainment environment included music, social events, and promotional celebratory effects, including the use of spark-producing devices that later became central to the fire investigation.

• Leisure hospitality

  Shisha and sports-viewing area

  The basement included a shisha and smoking area and television screens for sports viewing. These features broadened the venue's role beyond a conventional bar and supported local social and recreational use.

• 2026

  Crans-Montana bar fire and criminal investigation

  A fire at Le Constellation killed 41 people and injured 116. Authorities investigated the suspected ignition by champagne-bottle sparklers or gerbs, the combustibility and installation of acoustic foam, escape routes, extinguishers, occupancy, renovations, possible age-limit breaches, and the conduct of the operators. The supplied material does not establish final criminal liability.

  Source

• 2026

  Questions over inspections and building compliance

  Municipal officials said the bar had not received a fire inspection since 2019 even though annual inspections were expected. Reporting also raised questions about unauthorised interior alterations, an inward-opening exit, a narrowed staircase, a potentially inaccessible emergency door, and combustible acoustic material.

  Source

Read more

• Promotional fire effects

  Switzerland

  The venue reportedly used promotional videos and celebratory presentations featuring sparks or fire effects. Later reporting examined whether these practices created known risks in proximity to the ceiling.

  Outcome. The practice became a major focus of public and criminal scrutiny after the 2026 fire.

  Source

• 2026

  Authorities open a criminal investigationOther

  Background

  The fire caused mass casualties and raised questions about the ignition source, fire precautions, renovations, occupancy, and emergency egress.

  Action taken

  Swiss authorities opened proceedings involving the owners and examined the premises, safety systems, exits, attendance, and regulatory compliance.

  Aftermath

  The investigation remained ongoing in the supplied material, with no final judicial finding provided.

  Source

• 2026

  Emergency medical response and international transfersOther

  Background

  The number and severity of burn injuries exceeded local intensive-care and specialist treatment capacity.

  Action taken

  Swiss authorities requested European assistance and transferred 24 injured people to hospitals in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland.

  Aftermath

  Specialist burn facilities across Switzerland and neighbouring countries treated victims, while a national day of mourning was held.

  Source

1. 12026 Crans-Montana bar fireen.wikipedia.org