Champagne sparklers likely started Swiss bar fire, officials say

Investigators say sparklers placed in champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling and may have ignited the material, triggering a fast-moving fire that killed at least 40 people and injured 119 others. Survivors described chaos and panic as flames spread rapidly through the crowded bar in the Swiss Alps. NBC News’ Daniele Hamamdjian reports.

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SearchSearchFacebookTwitterEmailSMSBlue SkyWhatsappPrintRedditFlipboardPinterestLinkedinLatest StoriesPoliticsU.S. NewsWorldSportsHealthBusinessShoppingTiplineCultureScienceChampagne sparklers likely started Swiss bar fire, officials sayJan. 2, 202601:36One Photographer’s Big Picture01:50Trump’s new warning to Iran over protesters01:35Police investigating murder of Ohio dentist and his wife01:32Chaotic Florida traffic stop ends with truck ramming into police vehicle01:24The New Space Race02:14FBI: ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve terror attack foiled01:56Now PlayingChampagne sparklers likely started Swiss bar fire, officials say01:36UP NEXTMore rain brings more flooding to already drenched California01:49Trump speaks out about his health01:48Man’s kidney donation impacts multiple lives01:38Can routine mammograms help identify heart risks?02:23Protests in Iran over economy turn deadly01:33New year means new laws01:40Winter weather wreaks havoc from coast to coast01:30About 40 killed in New Year’s Eve fire at Swiss Alps bar02:27New Year’s Eve celebration sparks shared wishes and dreams01:46Security concerns ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations02:31People extending new car loans as monthly payments top $75001:25Trump administration freezing childcare payments to Minnesota, citing fraud concerns01:46DOJ scrambling to review more than 5 million Epstein documents02:15Nightly NewsChampagne sparklers likely started Swiss bar fire, officials say01:36CopiedInvestigators say sparklers placed in champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling and may have ignited the material, triggering a fast-moving fire that killed at least 40 people and injured 119 others. Survivors described chaos and panic as flames spread rapidly through the crowded bar in the Swiss Alps. NBC News’ Daniele Hamamdjian reports.Jan. 2, 2026

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