The Crans-Montana New Year’s Fire: A Harsh Reminder Why Fire Risk Assessments Matter

A Tragedy That Shocked Europe (and the Fire Safety World)

What should have been a joyful New Year’s Eve celebration in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, turned into one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent European history. In the early hours of 1 January 2026, a fire tore through Le Constellation, a bar and nightclub venue, tragically killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 100 others.

Investigators believe the blaze started when sparkler-style fireworks attached to champagne bottles ignited flammable sound-proofing foam on the venue’s ceiling. Once the ceiling caught alight, the fire spread rapidly across the crowded bar, leaving many with little chance to escape.

Missed Safety Checks – Missed Lives

One of the most concerning findings to emerge from the investigation is that no fire safety inspections were carried out at the venue between 2020 and 2025, despite local regulations requiring annual checks on public buildings.

Authorities have also stated that although inspections had taken place in previous years, there was no specific review of the ceiling insulation materials and whether they were appropriate for use in a public venue. These materials appear to have significantly contributed to how quickly the fire spread.

This tragedy has raised serious questions about enforcement, complacency and the dangers of assuming that “nothing has changed”.

Why This Matters for UK Businesses

Although this incident happened in Switzerland, the lessons are highly relevant to businesses across the UK.

European fire safety frameworks are historically based on UK legislation, and here in the UK we are governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, commonly known as the Fire Safety Order.

Under this legislation, every workplace and non-domestic premises must have a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment carried out by a competent person.

What the Fire Safety Order Requires

The Fire Safety Order places legal duties on the “Responsible Person” (usually the employer, owner or occupier of the premises) to:

• Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment identifying fire hazards and people at risk

• Implement appropriate fire safety measures to reduce risk

• Record the significant findings of the assessment

• Keep the assessment under review, especially after changes to the building, layout or use

This is not optional. It applies to all UK businesses, including:

• Bars, cafés and restaurants

• Shops and salons

• Offices and warehouses

• Workshops, schools and community venues

Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, prosecution, large fines and, in the worst cases, loss of life.

Lives Depend on Compliance – Not Paperwork

The Crans-Montana fire shows just how dangerous complacency can be. A lack of inspections, unchecked building materials and outdated assessments created the conditions for a disaster.

Fire Risk Assessments are not paperwork exercises — they are a critical life-saving process designed to identify hazards before they become tragedies.

How Safety Objectives Can Help

At Safety Objectives, we provide professional Fire Risk Assessments for small and medium-sized businesses.

Our service includes:

• Fully compliant Fire Risk Assessments in line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

• Clear written reports in plain English

• Practical, prioritised action plans

• Ongoing support to help you stay compliant year after year

We work with you to ensure your premises are not only legally compliant, but genuinely safe for staff, customers and visitors.

Don’t Wait for a Tragedy to Act

The Crans-Montana fire is a powerful reminder that fire safety failures can happen anywhere — even in well-known, well-used venues.

If you are responsible for a business in the UK, now is the time to act.

👉 Contact Safety Objectives today to arrange your Fire Risk Assessment.
Protect your people. Protect your business. Protect your future.