A congress centre in Davos was evacuated on Wednesday after a fire broke out near the venue hosting the World Economic Forum, triggering an emergency response as world leaders and business executives gathered
in the Swiss resort town.
Fire services with specialised smoke-response teams were rushed to the scene, and part of the convention centre was cleared as a precaution.
The local fire brigade later said the situation was under control.
“The alarm has been fully contained and the fire has been completely extinguished after evacuating part of the convention centre as a precaution,” the fire service said in a statement.
Italian journalist Lilli Gruber, who was inside the venue at the time, told local media: “We are outside the Congress Centre, we have all been evacuated.”
Emergency crews are investigating the cause of a strong smell that left some people coughing, according to reports. The fire is believed to have broken out in a wooden hut near the hotel complex housing the conference centre, prompting the evacuation.
DEVELOPING: Firefighters clear main venue at World Economic Forum in Davos as emergency crews respond, with White House official saying evacuation did not affect President Trump https://t.co/3KfTqyB2p8 pic.twitter.com/UOtbzOHlaj
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) January 21, 2026
No injuries have been reported.
A White House official told Breaking911 the evacuation did not affect US President Donald Trump, who is attending the World Economic Forum.
The WEF annual meeting in Davos has drawn dozens of heads of state, senior ministers, and top executives from around the world this week.
