Fire that killed 40 in Swiss bar probably caused by champagne sparklers

Forty people died and 119 others were injured in a fire at a nightclub in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve. Investigators say sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited ceiling materials, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

The fire broke out at Le Constellation, a two-storey venue in the Alpine resort town, just after midnight. Videos published online show bright flares rising from bottles held by staff or guests, moments before flames reached the ceiling.