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Agence France-Presse

A memorial for the victims of a deadly New Year’s fire in Switzerland itself caught fire early on Sunday, likely sparked by candles left burning inside, police said.
It was a makeshift tribute to the 41 people killed and the 115 injured in the January 1 fire that erupted at the Le Constellation bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, which was packed with mainly teenagers and young adults.
The memorial, laden with flowers, candles and messages of condolence, had been set up near the site of the tragedy.
It caught alight shortly before 6am on Sunday, regional police in Switzerland’s southwestern canton of Wallis said in a statement.
Images broadcast by Swiss public broadcaster RTS on Sunday showed the blackened top of a white, igloo-like tarpaulin erected over the memorial to protect it from the weather, visible behind a white screen and police tape.
“Thanks to the rapid intervention of the emergency services, the fire was quickly brought under control,” police said.

No one was injured in the fire at the memorial, they said, adding, however, that “several commemorative objects were damaged by the flames”.
A large book of remembrance, filled with messages of condolences left by those who have visited the memorial over the past five weeks, had meanwhile been saved, the statement said.
Police said an investigation had been opened into what caused the blaze at the memorial, which had initially been sitting right in front of the burned-out bar but which had recently been moved a bit farther away.
“According to initial reports, the fire started near the candles placed on a table in the centre of the memorial,” the statement said.


“At this stage, third-party involvement can be ruled out.”
Investigators believe that the New Year inferno at Le Constellation bar started when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were raised too close to a ceiling in the bar crowded with revellers, igniting sound insulation foam.
The French couple who co-owned the bar, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are facing charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.
Crans-Montana’s head of public safety and a former Crans-Montana fire safety officer are also under criminal investigation in connection with the blaze at the bar, which had not undergone mandatory annual fire inspections since 2019.

Following weeks of harsh criticism of local and regional authorities' handling of the crisis and the investigation, family members on Sunday voiced consternation upon learning of the fire at the memorial.
“What to say?” Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose 16-year-old son Arthur Brodard was among those who perished at Le Constellation, posted on Facebook over a link to a report about the memorial fire.
“It is the municipality’s responsibility to ensure a memorial that is secure.”


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Switzerland

Mourners place messages, candles, and flowers at a memorial outside Le Constellation bar during a national day of mourning in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on January 9. Photo: AFP

Firefighters clean up the memorial for victims of the deadly New Year’s blaze at Le Constellation bar on Sunday, after the memorial itself caught fire. Photo: EPA

The entrance of Le Constellation bar where a fire ripped through the venue during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Photo: AFP

Swiss bar owner put in pre-trial detention over deadly New Year’s Eve fire

People gather in front of Le Constellation bar on Friday during the national day of mourning for the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Photo: EPA

Le Constellation owners Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti arrive for a hearing in Sion, Switzerland, on Friday. Photo: AFP

Swiss President Guy Parmelin (centre) and head of government of the Canton of Valais Mathias Reynard (right) carry white roses after a tribute ceremony for the victims in Martigny on Friday. Photo: AFP

Swiss grieve as all 40 bar fire victims identified - many of them under 18

People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Mourners gather around flowers in Crans-Montana. Photo: EPA

The entrance of the Le Constellation bar and lounge. Photo: EPA

A tribute at a makeshift memorial outside the bar. Photo: Reuters

Dozens dead and 115 injured in fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year’s celebration

Fire breaks out in bar at Crans-Montana ski resort, Switzerland, early Thursday.

A man leaves a candle outside the Le Constellation bar in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in Switzerland on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

People attend a New Year mass in Montana Station on Thursday to remember the victims of the devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar. Photo: AP

Tragedy struck Crans-Montana as a fire engulfed a bar during New Year celebrations, leaving several dead and injured. Photo: AP

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

People comfort each other outside Le Constellation bar on Friday, a day, after a fire and explosion killed dozens of people in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters

Fire breaks out in bar at Crans-Montana ski resort, Switzerland, early Thursday. Photo: XTyroneking36852

A Swiss flag flies at half-staff at the Federal Palace in Bern, Switzerland on Friday. Photo: EPA

People bring flowers and candles near the sealed off Le Constellation bar on Friday. Photo: AP

Champagne sparklers blamed for Swiss bar fire that killed 40

The entrance to Le Constellation bar is seen on Friday, a day after a deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: AFP

Journalists gather in front of the street where a fire ripped through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Mourners gather on Friday near Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. Photo: AFP

Mourners lay flowers and candles near Le Constellation bar. Photo: AFP

The emergency entrance of Hospital du Valais, where victims were received following the fire. Photo: Reuters

News

World

Europe

Candles likely sparked blaze at the Crans-Montana site for 41 victims. Families express dismay as a condolence book was saved, other items lost


Candles likely sparked blaze at the Crans-Montana site for 41 victims. Families express dismay as a condolence book was saved, other items lost.


France

Memorial for Swiss bar fire victims goes up in flames, adding to New Year’s tragedy fallout

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Candles likely sparked blaze at the Crans-Montana site for 41 victims. Families express dismay as a condolence book was saved, other items lost

Candles likely sparked blaze at the Crans-Montana site for 41 victims. Families express dismay as a condolence book was saved, other items lost