New Year’s Swiss ski resort fire that killed 40: Likely cause revealed

Horror videos show the moment a fire broke out at a New Year’s party at a Swiss ski resort, as witnesses said the blaze was started by a sparkler attached to a champagne bottle.

At least 40 people are feared dead and 100 were injured following the inferno at a bar called “Le Constellation” in the resort town of Crans-Montana, which is popular with international tourists.

The deadly fire was reportedly started accidentally by a woman who was being carried on another’s shoulders, holding a champagne bottle with a sparkler attached.

“It was firework candles inside a champagne bottle that caused the explosion. The entire ceiling of the bar caught fire,” witness Victoria told French broadcaster BFMTV.

The fire spread quickly through the bar, which holds up to 300 people, and within seconds, it was impossible to breathe.

“All the windows were black and opaque with smoke,” Victoria said. “Some people smashed windows to let in air.”

Terrifying video shared by Tyrone King, a visitor from New York, shows flames ripping through the bar, while screams are heard in the background.

Many of the partiers are feared to be teenagers.

“We saw people smashing windows, running and screaming. Parents were racing up in their cars. It was like a horror movie,” another witness, Adrien, told BFMTV.