Investigators Suspect Flashover Caused Blast That Ripped Through Swiss Bar, Death Toll Rises To 47

The death toll from a devastating New Year’s Day fire at a Swiss ski resort has risen to 47, police said, as investigators said a phenomenon known as a “flashover” may have triggered the deadly blaze.

Authorities said the fire tore through the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, in Valais canton, during New Year celebrations, causing rapid and widespread destruction.

During an earlier press conference, Valais canton attorney general Béatrice Pilloud said investigators were examining whether a flashover — a sudden ignition of all combustible materials in a confined space — caused the explosion and ensuing fire.

“There are a lot of circumstances to clarify, several hypotheses were put forward,” Pilloud said. “The main theory we’re prioritising is a flashover that provoked a rapid explosion. Several witnesses have been heard and there are telephones that were recovered to be analysed.”

She said the exact sequence of events remained unclear and that the investigation was ongoing.

According to the US-based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a flashover occurs when hot gases rise to the ceiling of a room and spread across walls, dramatically increasing temperatures. Once the heat reaches a critical point, all combustible items in the space ignite almost simultaneously.

“Flashover is when you no longer have objects in the room on fire. The room is on fire,” Steve Kerber, Vice President and Executive Director of the Fire Safety Research Institute, told US broadcaster CNN.

Swiss authorities have said the incident is not being treated as terror-related. Emergency services responded through the night, deploying multiple ambulances and rescue helicopters to evacuate the injured and secure the site.

Le Constellation bar, which can accommodate hundreds of patrons, was reportedly crowded as revellers rang in the New Year. Officials have not yet released details on the identities of the victims.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as forensic teams continue to examine the scene and recovered evidence.