Memorial for Swiss bar fire victims goes up in flames

A memorial dedicated to the 41 victims of a deadly New Year's Day bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, caught fire early Sunday morning. The memorial, located near the site of the Le Constellation bar fire, was a makeshift tribute filled with flowers, candles, and messages. Police believe the fire was likely started by candles left burning inside the memorial. Emergency services quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing injuries, though some commemorative objects were damaged. An investigation has been launched, and authorities have ruled out third-party involvement. The original New Year's fire is believed to have started when sparklers ignited soundproofing material; the bar owners and two local officials are under investigation.

A memorial dedicated to the victims of a deadly New Year's Day fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, caught fire early Sunday morning. The memorial, located near the site of the Le Constellation bar fire that killed 41 and injured 115, was a makeshift tribute laden with flowers, candles, and messages. Police suspect the fire was likely ignited by unattended candles left burning within the memorial. Emergency services quickly extinguished the blaze, which damaged the tarpaulin covering the memorial. The January 1 fire at the bar, packed with mostly teenagers and young adults, remains a significant tragedy in the region.