A memorial dedicated to the victims of the Crans-Montana fire,which claimed 41 lives on New YearS night in the Swiss ski resort,was itself damaged by fire early Sunday,local police announced. Authorities have stated that arson has been ruled out at this stage of the investigation.
memorial Damaged by Candle Fire
The makeshift memorial, adorned wiht flowers, candles, and messages of condolence, located near the site of the tragedy, caught fire around 6:00 AM local time. According to a statement from the Valais police, the fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. Initial findings suggest the blaze originated from candles placed on a table at the center of the memorial.
“The fire was quickly brought under control,” the valais police stated on X (formerly Twitter). “According to initial findings, the fire started at the level of the candles placed on a table in the center of the memorial,” the police added in a statement, excluding “at this stage the intervention of a third party.” Reconstruction of the memorial is currently underway.
No Injuries, Condolence Book Saved
No one was injured in the incident. While several commemorative items were damaged by the flames,the book of condolences – containing messages left by visitors over the past five weeks – was successfully preserved,according to police. Images released by Swiss public broadcaster RTS showed the blackened top of the white igloo-shaped structure that had been erected to protect the memorial from the elements.
Background: The Crans-Montana Fire
The fire at the La Constellation bar occurred in the early hours of January 1st,resulting in 41 fatalities and 115 injuries,primarily affecting teenagers and young adults. Investigations revealed the fire was caused by sparks from candles igniting soundproofing foam on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement. Ongoing investigations are focused on determining the exact circumstances of the tragedy, compliance with safety regulations, and assigning duty.
Key Takeaways
- A memorial for the victims of the crans-Montana fire was damaged in a fire on February 8, 2026.
- The cause of the memorial fire is believed to be candles.
- No one was injured, and the book of condolences was saved.
- The original fire at La Constellation bar was caused by candles igniting flammable materials.