Crans-Montana Fire Investigation Strains Police Resources as New Video Evidence Emerges
Seven months after the fatal fire at Le Constellation, new footage shows the rapid spread of the blaze that killed 41 people. The ongoing criminal investigation has forced Valais police to reduce street patrols, leading to a measurable rise in local crime rates.
Key takeaways
- New video footage confirms survivors' reports of a fireball rising from the basement during the Le Constellation fire.
- The Valais police investigation into the 41 deaths has caused a reduction in street patrols and a subsequent rise in local crime.
- Prosecutors are focusing on pyrotechnic sparklers and acoustic foam as the primary cause of the rapid blaze.
What Happened
New video evidence from the January 1, 2026, fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana has surfaced, confirming survivor accounts of a rapid flashover. The footage, originally published by an Italian news outlet, shows a massive fireball erupting from the basement and engulfing the ground floor in seconds. Witnesses are seen attempting to break large glass windows with chairs to create exits, as many emergency doors were reportedly locked. Investigators are currently examining whether the opening of the main entrance—the only unlocked door—created an air draft that accelerated the flames.
Background
The disaster occurred during New Year's Eve celebrations, resulting in 41 deaths and 115 injuries. The prosecution's primary hypothesis suggests that the fire began in the basement when champagne bottles equipped with indoor pyrotechnics, such as sparklers or Bengal fires, were held too close to the ceiling. This likely ignited the soundproofing foam, causing the fire to spread across the establishment's levels.
Impact on Public Safety
The scale of the judicial procedure has placed significant pressure on the Valais cantonal police. Cantonal Police Commander Frédéric Gisler reported that the intensity of the investigation—which includes analyzing digital data and conducting extensive interviews—has forced a shift in operational priorities. The reduction in preventative street patrols has coincided with a 4% increase in Penal Code offenses across the canton. Specifically, drug trafficking and violence in public spaces, particularly near railway stations, have risen. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in traffic accidents, which officials attribute to a decreased police presence on the roads.
Key Facts
- The fire at Le Constellation on January 1, 2026, resulted in 41 fatalities and 115 injuries.
- A one-minute video confirms a large fireball rose from the basement to the ground floor during the incident.
- Investigators believe pyrotechnics on champagne bottles ignited acoustic foam on the ceiling.
- Valais police report a 21% increase in robberies over the past year.
- Frédéric Gisler, Valais police commander since January 2026, confirmed that preventive patrols were reduced to focus on the fire investigation.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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