Dry January 2026 Surge: Bars Innovate as 22% of Americans Go Alcohol-Free

Swiss investigators are racing to piece together what sparked the catastrophic New Year’s blaze at Le Constellation bar in the alpine resort of Crans-Montana, a fire that has now claimed 40 lives—half of them teenagers—and injured 116 others, according to Valais cantonal police. Witnesses say a sudden “flashover” engulfed the packed venue around 1:30 a.m. on 1 January, moments after champagne sparklers were lit near a low-hanging wooden ceiling—an ignition scenario fire-safety experts call highly combustible. Survivors described a brief explosion, then dense toxic smoke that left patrons groping for exits in near-total darkness. Many of the dead, officials confirmed, were 14- to 17-year-olds celebrating without accompanying guardians despite Swiss laws that restrict under-16s after 10 p.m. Prosecutors have opened a criminal probe against the bar’s managers for suspected negligent manslaughter and arson. Local media report that Le Constellation passed three inspections in the past decade, but investigators are now poring over emergency-exit widths, sprinkler coverage and whether crowd capacity limits were exceeded. Pressure is also mounting on Swiss lawmakers to tighten national fire codes for nightlife venues built before modern safety standards. Families across Switzerland, France and Italy are holding joint vigils this week as repatriations begin. Italy’s foreign ministry said it will pursue civil action on behalf of six Italian victims, calling the tragedy “avoidable with basic prevention.” Meanwhile, tourism officials in Crans-Montana fear a ripple effect on the lucrative winter season, prompting promises of immediate safety audits at every bar and club in the region. Key takeaways for travelers and nightlife patrons: • Always locate primary and secondary exits upon entry. • Avoid venues that substitute open flames or indoor pyrotechnics for LED alternatives. • Report blocked exits or overcrowding to staff—or leave immediately. As condolences continue to pour in, the focus now shifts to whether Switzerland’s beloved après-ski culture can evolve quickly enough to prevent another bar-fire catastrophe—and whether Le Constellation will become a turning point for European nightlife safety.