Swiss bar fire - Dozens killed!

[Watts.E.Dunn]

Great start to 2026 many killed in a fire in a Swiss ski bar with hundred's injured!

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[bigden40]

Quite horrific.

Seems the fire started in the basement and caused an explosion, dozens dead and hundreds injured. 

[WAY-WARD]

 This kind of disaster has occurred so may times over the years
 and still some radio stations will be playing Disc Inferno.

[DastardlyDick]

This kind of disaster has occurred so may times over the years
 and still some radio stations will be playing Disc Inferno.

Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" is about a similar tragedy in Montreux back in the '70s.

[bigden40]

Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" is about a similar tragedy in Montreux back in the '70s.

Although no fatalities, in part thanks to the heroics of Funky Claude

[WAY-WARD]

Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" is about a similar tragedy in Montreux back in the '70s.

I never knew the significance of that song....but is not likely
to get regular air play on the usual shite stations.

[chrishornx]

reports inflated as usual there were not hundreds injured but certainly the death toll is high and tragic

Sad situation

[Watts.E.Dunn]

What surprises me is that how it hapened the way it did anyone in the Uk tangled with the fire services and approvals we're very strict on such matters, but this bloody place was more of a crematorim the way it happend and the speed of it happened and the piss poor escape routes, it looked like it was designed to burn.

I hope soem bastard's includiing the authorities are held to account, and the poor young souls involved - heartbreaking:-(..

[bigden40]

reports inflated as usual there were not hundreds injured but certainly the death toll is high and tragic

Sad situation

BBC says 40 killed and 115 injured. 

[RandomGuy99]

One of the reporters on the BBC mentioned that people have been reporting that someone had a sparkler in a drink and they stood on a chair or got put on someone's shoulders and then lifted their glass and the sparkler set the ceiling on fire.  The videos they showed showed the flames ripping across the ceiling. One of those seemingly innocent things that causes horrific outcomes.

Smoke meant people couldn't find the way out. It sounds like there are a lot of people with horrific burns.

[Blackpool Rock]

What surprises me is that how it hapened the way it did anyone in the Uk tangled with the fire services and approvals we're very strict on such matters, but this bloody place was more of a crematorim the way it happend and the speed of it happened and the piss poor escape routes, it looked like it was designed to burn.

I hope soem bastard's includiing the authorities are held to account, and the poor young souls involved - heartbreaking:-(..

I've always thought our fire safety standards etc were generally high but i'd expect Switzerland to be even higher, having been there a few times it's a very well ordered society.

My mate was a fireman and I remember going into a basement style bar in the UK about 35 years ago, it was fucking packed down there and he's immediately looking for where the fire exits were then commented if there was a fire just to get straight out and in all liklihood only half a dozen people would actually make it out.

Things may have improved in recent years as the door staff do tend to have clickers to count people in / out but back in the day it was all about packing the place and making more on the door entry.

I'd add however as a final comment that perhaps our fire safety isn't as good as I thought it was and i'm still amazed how Grenfell happened in this country 

[chrishornx]

BBC says 40 killed and 115 injured.

precisely

[chrishornx]

BBC says 40 killed and 115 injured.

precisely.

[DastardlyDick]

I'd add however as a final comment that perhaps our fire safety isn't as good as I thought it was and i'm still amazed how Grenfell happened in this country 

Had they stuck with the fire resistant cladding specified in the original design, it would have been fine, but it was switched by person(s) unknown to a cheaper type. No fire regulation in the world can cope with deliberate evasion.

[Blackpool Rock]

Had they stuck with the fire resistant cladding specified in the original design, it would have been fine, but it was switched by person(s) unknown to a cheaper type. No fire regulation in the world can cope with deliberate evasion.

But i'd expect a robust system to have checks in place to identify if the material had been switched

[DastardlyDick]

But i'd expect a robust system to have checks in place to identify if the material had been switched

How? Have some sort of official doing on site patrols 24/7/365? Who would pay for it? I'm sure you're aware of the failure of the NHBC "guarantee" scheme and the reason for that failure.

[Jomoore]

Pending more reliable information, this looks like a re-run of the Stardust night club fire in Dublin, 1981, 48 young people killed. 
Materials were again largely responsible for the speed of spread, and a question will no doubt hang over the number and availability of exits. 
Look around you in public spaces, including shops, hotels, bars etc and you'd be surprised how often they're blocked, obstructed or occasionally even locked.  If you or your kids go into these places you definitely need to educate them what to look for and how to react accordingly.

[RandomGuy99]

A very sad way to start the year with tens dead and many with significant potentially life long and life changing injuries and all because someone did an innocent thing of lifting a wine bottle to celebrate the new year. The real issue is whoever installed the ceiling decorations that were flammable and thus started a fire that then spread so quickly. Again another seemingly innocent thing to do as they didn't expect someone to hold a sparkler to them and start a fire. Life can change so unexpectedly and quickly.

RIP.

[Watts.E.Dunn]

It can be seen on the latest photos and vidoes that the celing caught light very easily and some sap tried to put it out by flicking a table cloth or simlar over it which did a little but what was needed was an extingusher, maybe there was one behind the bar wouldnt be out in the open and they'd be let off for fun..

But, feck me what idiot designed that place using now described as foam on the bloody celiing?, Alumimiun would have looked fine even if just painted that wouldn't have gone off like that and all the furinishings ALL fire retardent.

And as to that bloody exit staricase crimimally negeilent that was too.

Heads ought to roll for this including the authorites, shame on you Switzerland:-((

[Blackpool Rock]

How? Have some sort of official doing on site patrols 24/7/365? Who would pay for it? I'm sure you're aware of the failure of the NHBC "guarantee" scheme and the reason for that failure.

That's such a defeatist position, so perhaps we should just get rid of planning and building inspectors and let everyone build whatever they want then 

I'd expect Swiss regulations to be good but as a minimum surely materials are specified in the plans then buildings inspected to ensure they comply before they are "signed off", I know someone who built their own house and the council inspector was all over it like a rash

Crucially here we don't know how old the building / refurb was and i'm sure it's the case that old historic buildings are still allowed to function with out of date building materials and regulations long after new builds have to comply with the new regs until authorities finally catch up years later 

[chrishornx]

That's such a defeatist position, so perhaps we should just get rid of planning and building inspectors and let everyone build whatever they want then 

I'd expect Swiss regulations to be good but as a minimum surely materials are specified in the plans then buildings inspected to ensure they comply before they are "signed off", I know someone who built their own house and the council inspector was all over it like a rash

excellent point BR the place wouldn't have to be checked 24/7/365, that would be a total waste of time. If the place was checked for full compliance before any licence was granted then that should suffice if backed up by an annual check. Why would a bar comply with regs and have the bar signed off and then strip out  compliant material and replace  with non compliant material? - Not much sense in that 

[Blackpool Rock]

excellent point BR the place wouldn't have to be checked 24/7/365, that would be a total waste of time. If the place was checked for full compliance before any licence was granted then that should suffice if backed up by an annual check. Why would a bar comply with regs and have the bar signed off and then strip out  compliant material and replace  with non compliant material? - Not much sense in that 

I've only just seen TV footage that someone eluded to earlier in the thread about someone trying to put the flames out by hitting the fire with some sort of towel / material, it very much looks like that shaped expanded foam used for soundproofing was on part of the ceiling however it's on fire so clearly not fire retardant 

Logic suggests that wasn't in the original build and has been added at some point, be interesting to know and i'm sure it will come out in the wash when it was added and when the last building fire inspection was 

You can see molten bits of the foam on fire dropping to the floor as it melts which just spreads the fire further and no doubt the fumes from this shit were highly toxic, also talk of the fire flashing over which must be scary as fuck, you think you're well away from it then the bit above your head spontaneously combusts and showers you with molten material which is on fire

[RandomGuy99]

I've only just seen TV footage that someone eluded to earlier in the thread about someone trying to put the flames out by hitting the fire with some sort of towel / material, it very much looks like that shaped expanded foam used for soundproofing was on part of the ceiling however it's on fire so clearly not fire retardant 

Logic suggests that wasn't in the original build and has been added at some point, be interesting to know and i'm sure it will come out in the wash when it was added and when the last building fire inspection was 

You can see molten bits of the foam on fire dropping to the floor as it melts which just spreads the fire further and no doubt the fumes from this shit were highly toxic, also talk of the fire flashing over which must be scary as fuck, you think you're well away from it then the bit above your head spontaneously combusts and showers you with molten material which is on fire

Apparently some of the people died from burnt lungs from inhaling the fumes.

[Blackpool Rock]

Apparently some of the people died from burnt lungs from inhaling the fumes.

Typically more people die from smoke inhalation / toxic fumes than from the fire itself

[Andywb]

Pending more reliable information, this looks like a re-run of the Stardust night club fire in Dublin, 1981, 48 young people killed. 
Materials were again largely responsible for the speed of spread, and a question will no doubt hang over the number and availability of exits. 
Look around you in public spaces, including shops, hotels, bars etc and you'd be surprised how often they're blocked, obstructed or occasionally even locked.  If you or your kids go into these places you definitely need to educate them what to look for and how to react accordingly.

It seems the fire spread rapidly and doubtless toxic fumes took a toll combined with victims not recognising the danger quickly enough - perhaps alcohol slowing their realisation of impending disaster.  As always these days, some in.the bar can be seen watching the fire take hold with their phones held high getting those vital videos to share on social media rather than engaging with the reality of the situation. They should have been running like fuck for the exit.

[Darren101]

Tragic start to the new year.

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Seems the sparkler in a bottle thing wasn’t a one off at this venue.  Maybe it’s something the venue offered. 

I read somewhere they had partygoers doing the same thing in 2024

[chrishornx]

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larger
if this link works scroll down to the two static photos of the sparklers in champagne bottles ...zoom in on the right hand of the photograph on the left  - is that a person lying on a shelf above a rack of blue and white glasses

 the poor sod would have had very little chance from there when the sparks flew

[Thephoenix]

You can see molten bits of the foam on fire dropping to the floor as it melts which just spreads the fire further and no doubt the fumes from this shit were highly toxic, also talk of the fire flashing over which must be scary as fuck, you think you're well away from it then the bit above your head spontaneously combusts and showers you with molten material which is on fire

It is indeed scary as fuck.

[Blackpool Rock]

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larger
if this link works scroll down to the two static photos of the sparklers in champagne bottles ...zoom in on the right hand of the photograph on the left  - is that a person lying on a shelf above a rack of blue and white glasses

 the poor sod would have had very little chance from there when the sparks flew

I know what you mean as it looks like a leg / foot hanging down on the left but the top of it doesn't look like a head / shoulders but more like a rolled up piece of carpet / material / sleeping bag or similar
The picture has all the heads / faces blurred out but that image doesn't appear to be which makes me think it's an object of some kind rather than a person 

[Darren101]

Yeah, not a person. Also, it’s right above the drinks glasses and would not be easy to get up there. Don’t see why anyone would climb up there at that time for a kip. Looks like fabric.

[RandomGuy99]

It was a tiny bar with one way out up a narrow staircase

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[Cupid Stuntz]

There's a venue in London called "The Underworld" that I saw a band at 30 years or so ago. Narrow staircase down to a basement with as far as could be seen was the only exit / entrance. I get claustrophobic at the best of times  and never went to another gig there. If there had been a fire you'd have been fucked.

This Swiss disaster mirrors a dreadful fire in the States in 2003 that was caused by the same acoustic tiles. Jack Russells Great White were performing and their pyro / fireworks ignited the tiles and it spread rapidly. 100 people died. If you watch the video below it shows how rapidly a fire can spread in an older building. Within 6 minutes the entire building was ablaze, by the time the fire service arrived it was too late.

Many were killed in the crush and pile up of bodies trying to escape through the far too narrow front doors. The band apart from their guitar player escaped via the back stage area.

This video is somewhat harrowing and not for the faint hearted. You've been warned.....

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[WASA38]

Did a search for polyurethane foam egg box sound insulation and found endless sources including our old friend, cheapo Chinese Temu.

Not one could I find that mentioned fire retardancy amongst its numerous features although the Temu ad' referred to conformance with European standards - unspecified.

Even with a flame retardant, the effects of which can, reportedly, wear off in time, such a material is an utter recipe for disaster. PU burns rapidly  emitting exceptionally toxic gases and masses of dense black smoke.

Years ago  polystyrene ceiling tiles caused some horrible fire incidents with molten drops cascading on trapped victims and legislation banning them very soon followed.

[Thephoenix]

Years ago  polystyrene ceiling tiles caused some horrible fire incidents with molten drops cascading on trapped victims and legislation banning them very soon followed.

They often caused flashovers and were always a worry to firefighters.

Also fires in basement clubs result in particular problems gaining access to the seat of the fire and the location of casualties for firefighters, as this can only  be achieved by fighting through the intense heat and smoke barrier at its highest level.

[Thephoenix]

It was a tiny bar with one way out up a narrow staircase

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If that's the case it's crazy.

There should always be an alternative means of escape and occupants should always be able to turn their backs on a fire.

[RandomGuy99]

If that's the case it's crazy.

There should always be an alternative means of escape and occupants should always be able to turn their backs on a fire.

40 people died, so there were 40 bodies lying in that space plus there's 100+ being treated. That small bar must have been packed.

[Blackpool Rock]

40 people died, so there were 40 bodies lying in that space plus there's 100+ being treated. That small bar must have been packed.

I'm sure the full facts will come out in terms of numbers etc, the video I saw the place didn't look packed but perhaps a lot of people had already exited at that point.
Only 1 way out and i'm sure someone on the TV said if there were 50 or more people then you'd need a 2nd exit, with 40 dead and 100 injured the numbers don't look good for the bar owners if they've let more people in than the licence allowed 

[RedKettle]

I'm sure the full facts will come out in terms of numbers etc, the video I saw the place didn't look packed but perhaps a lot of people had already exited at that point.
Only 1 way out and i'm sure someone on the TV said if there were 50 or more people then you'd need a 2nd exit, with 40 dead and 100 injured the numbers don't look good for the bar owners if they've let more people in than the licence allowed 

I believe there was a second exit, in fact a fire exit.  But most of the survivors were unaware of it and it seems that it was not well sign posted etc etc.  Reports were that everyone went towards the main exit, which is understandable.

[Blackpool Rock]

I believe there was a second exit, in fact a fire exit.  But most of the survivors were unaware of it and it seems that it was not well sign posted etc etc.  Reports were that everyone went towards the main exit, which is understandable.

Yeah just Googled it and apparently there was a fire exit but lots of reports from bar staff that it was always bolted shut, so basically fuck all use then 

[Thephoenix]

Yeah just Googled it and apparently there was a fire exit but lots of reports from bar staff that it was always bolted shut, so basically fuck all use then 

Unfortunately the closer the occupants got to safety, the worse the conditions may have been, as they reached the highest levels of heat and smoke.
Tragically that's when many may have succumbed to the effects of  the heat and products of combustion and blocked the exit further.

[RandomGuy99]

Unfortunately the closer the occupants got to safety, the worse the conditions may have been, as they reached the highest levels of heat and smoke.
Tragically that's when many may have succumbed to the effects of  the heat and products of combustion and blocked the exit further.

The stairway would have acted as a chimney with heat and fumes going up it and probably a lot of people got trampled as others made it out.

[Blackpool Rock]

Just been a press conference, the bar hadn't had any sort of inspection or safety checks for 5 years 

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[Jumping Jack Flash]

Just been a press conference, the bar hadn't had any sort of inspection or safety checks for 5 years 

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Whilst at first look that seems bad, it may be in line with local testing requirements. For example, in the UK the testing requirements for electrical installations in offices, shops, schools and hotels is 5 years or if the ownership changes. There’s also a good chance that their insurers would have carried out a risk survey during the 5 year period.

[Blackpool Rock]

Whilst at first look that seems bad, it may be in line with local testing requirements. For example, in the UK the testing requirements for electrical installations in offices, shops, schools and hotels is 5 years or if the ownership changes. There’s also a good chance that their insurers would have carried out a risk survey during the 5 year period.

It's the fact that they were saying it had just come to light and they therefore wanted to share the information straight away which basically makes me think something is amiss regarding inspections

[Blackpool Rock]

It's the fact that they were saying it had just come to light and they therefore wanted to share the information straight away which basically makes me think something is amiss regarding inspections

Latest article confirms that venues should be checked at least every year, many things got put back or extended due to covid but you'd have thought they would have got round to it by now

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[timsussex]

worth remembering incidents like this when we moan about a "jobsworth" with a clipboard from the local council

[Blackpool Rock]

Comparison between this Swiss fire and The Station nightclub fire in the US

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[scutty brown]

You'd think the Swiss would know the risk of flammable ceilings only too well.
What do you think was behind "Smoke on the Water"?