A new incident occurred Sunday morning at the memorial erected in tribute to the victims of the tragic fire that ravaged a bar in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve. According to the Valais cantonal police, a fire broke out around 6 a.m. in the memorial space, but no one was injured. Firefighters quickly brought the flames under control, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze, several Swiss and international media outlets reported.
The memorial, located on Rue Centrale and recently moved a short distance from the former bar that burned down for safety reasons, was adorned with flowers, candles, and messages of condolence left by relatives and visitors since the tragedy on January 1st. Images released Sunday morning showed the upper part of the structure covered with a white, igloo-shaped tarp, blackened by the flames, behind safety barriers.
According to initial reports in the press, the fire may have started near candles left in the center of the memorial, but authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause. Forensic investigators have been dispatched to the scene to conduct the necessary analyses. At this stage, investigators are not suggesting foul play.
The black series
This new fire comes more than a month after the fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, which killed 41 people and injured more than a hundred during the New Year's Eve 2026 celebrations. The investigation into this initial fire continues, with authorities examining in particular whether sparks from pyrotechnic candles or sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited flammable materials on the ceiling of the bar's basement.
The tragedy sparked widespread emotion in Switzerland and abroad, with official commemorative ceremonies, including a national day of mourning observed in early January. Public officials, including federal authorities, paid tribute to the victims, and international leaders were scheduled to participate in memorial services.
Families of the victims expressed their dismay at the accident affecting the memorial. On social media, some relatives called for improved security at the memorial site, arguing that local authorities must guarantee the safety of this place of remembrance.
