Memorial Tent Fire at Crans-Montana Tragedy Site

Memorial Site for Crans-Montana Fire Victims Catches Fire

In a shocking turn of events, the temporary memorial erected for victims of the deadly New Year's fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, itself caught fire early on February 8, 2026. The blaze broke out around 6:00 AM local time at the site where 41 people lost their lives just over a month ago.

Quick Response Prevents Further Tragedy

Firefighters responded swiftly to the scene and managed to extinguish the fire before it could spread. Fortunately, no one was injured in this latest incident. The memorial tent contained flowers, stuffed animals, candles, and condolence messages left by grieving family members and community supporters.

'This is like adding salt to an open wound,' said local resident Marie Dubois, who lost two friends in the original fire. 'We come here to remember and mourn, and now even this sacred space has been violated by fire.'

Investigation Underway

Police have opened an investigation into the cause of the memorial fire, which remains unknown at this time. Authorities are examining whether candles or other flammable materials within the memorial may have accidentally ignited. The memorial had recently been moved slightly further away from the burned-out bar building for safety reasons.

Background: The Original Tragedy

The January 1, 2026 fire at Le Constellation bar was one of Switzerland's deadliest nightclub disasters in decades. The blaze erupted during New Year celebrations when revelers raised champagne bottles with lit sparklers too close to flammable acoustic foam on the ceiling, causing rapid flashover.

The tragedy claimed 41 lives, with victims ranging from 14 to 39 years old, and left 115 people injured—83 with severe burns. Half of the deceased were under 18 years old, and victims came from at least nine countries including Switzerland, Italy, France, Romania, Turkey, Belgium, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates.

Ongoing Investigations and Community Impact

Four individuals are currently under criminal investigation for the original fire, including the bar's co-owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti, and local safety officials. Prosecutors are examining why mandatory safety inspections hadn't been conducted since 2019.

'For us, 2026 doesn't exist,' one grieving parent told Swiss media, capturing the profound impact on families. The canton of Valais has provided emergency aid payments of CHF10,000 to each hospitalized person or affected family, while Crans-Montana municipality contributed CHF1 million to a foundation supporting victims.

The tragedy has also sparked diplomatic tensions, with Italy recalling its ambassador after a Swiss court released the bar owner on bail. Italy has been granted mutual legal assistance in the investigation as it pursues criminal proceedings for the six Italian teenagers killed.

Community Resilience

Despite this latest setback, the community continues to show remarkable resilience. A minute's silence was recently observed before a World Cup downhill event in Crans-Montana to honor the victims. The resort, located in the canton of Valais at about 1,500 meters elevation, is known for its 140 kilometers of ski pistes and has hosted major events including the 1987 World Alpine Ski Championships.

As investigations continue into both fires, the community remains united in grief and determination to ensure such tragedies never happen again.

Sources

RTE: Memorial fire in Switzerland

Wikipedia: Crans-Montana bar fire

The Guardian: Crans-Montana death toll update

Swiss Observer: Crans-Montana fire investigation