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A serious fire at a ski resort bar in the Swiss Alps on New Year’s Eve has resulted in loss of life. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, those who lost loved ones, and the emergency services who responded.
When such incidents occur, it’s important to acknowledge what we do not know. Investigations take time, and it is inappropriate to speculate on a singular cause. Fires in busy venues are often the result of multiple small failures, decisions, and assumptions aligning at the worst possible moment.
However, tragic events can serve a purpose by prompting other businesses to pause, reflect, and reduce risks in their own establishments. The aim of this article is not to assign blame but to foster learning.
Here are several areas that operators in hospitality, leisure, and event spaces should review in light of what has been observed so far:
1. Pyrotechnics, Sparklers, and Open Flames Indoors
Images from the venue show sparklers used in champagne bottles indoors. Officials have indicated that the ceiling materials, described as egg-box style acoustic foam, likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Regardless of the final findings, the lesson is clear:
- Any naked flames or pyrotechnic effects indoors should be treated as high risk.
- Decorative or acoustic materials may be highly flammable, even if they don’t appear to be.
- Risk assessments must consider:
- Ignition temperature
- Flame spread
- Smoke toxicity
- Proximity to ceilings, lighting, and ventilation
Materials commonly used for soundproofing, theming, or creating atmosphere are often not designed for crowded, alcohol-fuelled environments with ignition sources. If a venue cannot confidently answer, “What happens if this catches fire?” then that activity should not take place.
2. Escape Routes and Crowd Movement
In unfamiliar buildings, people often do not behave as they would in offices or homes. Under stress, they tend to follow light, noise, and the flow of others.
Key considerations include:
- Emergency lighting must be clear, reliable, and well-maintained.
- Exit signage must be visible even in smoke.
- Staff should be trained not only to open doors but also to manage crowd flow.
A common failure during real fires is that people tend to cluster immediately outside exits, unintentionally blocking others trying to escape. Staff should be trained to:
- Move people away from exits.
- Keep escape routes clear.
- Continue directing until evacuation is complete.
Remember, evacuation does not end at the door.
3. Fire Extinguishers: Misunderstanding Their Use
Fire extinguishers are often misperceived as a universal solution to fires. In cases of ceiling-level fires involving lightweight or flammable materials, CO₂ extinguishers can displace oxygen and physically move flames. This can inadvertently spread the fire to adjacent materials rather than suppressing it.
This highlights two crucial points:
- Extinguishers should only be used by trained personnel.
- Staff must know when not to engage with the fire.
Early evacuation and activating the alarm system often save more lives than any handheld extinguisher.
4. Human Behavior, Alcohol, and Alarm Activation
Footage shows individuals attempting to extinguish flames with towels, appearing calm rather than urgent. Alcohol impairment likely affected their judgment and reaction speed. More concerning is the apparent absence of an audible fire alarm during the initial moments of the incident.
In many venues, smoke detectors are disabled during operating hours due to the use of smoke machines, relying instead on heat or multi-sensors. This places immense importance on manual call points. Staff training should emphasise that:
- The first action upon discovering a fire is to raise the alarm.
- Do not investigate the fire.
- Do not attempt improvised firefighting.
- Do not assume someone else has already raised the alarm.
Activating a manual call point can buy crucial minutes, which can save lives.
5. Emergency Lighting in High-Risk Areas
Emergency lighting is not just a compliance measure; in dark, crowded venues, it often serves as the only guide for people to exit safely. Good practices include:
- Enhanced coverage near stages, bars, and emergency exit routes.
- Regular testing under realistic lighting conditions.
- Considering automatic full-lighting activation upon alarm activation.
Some venues already use cleaning or end-of-night flood lighting, which can be:
- Linked via contactors.
- Activated automatically by the fire alarm system.
- Used to instantly eliminate darkness and disorientation.
This simple control can dramatically improve evacuation outcomes.
6. Staff Training as a Life Safety System
Fire safety systems are only as effective as the people operating them. Staff should be trained to:
- Recognise early signs of fire development.
- Raise the alarm immediately.
- Address unsafe practices before they become normalised.
- Understand that atmosphere and entertainment should never surpass life safety.
Training should be frequent, practical, and realistic—especially in venues with alcohol, crowds, complex layouts and high turnover or seasonal staff employment.
Final Thought: Learn Before You’re Forced To
No business ever anticipates being the example from which others learn. However, every such incident presents an opportunity for reflection and improvement.