Swiss Ski resort fire

[Natasha Tori Maru]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/01/several-dead-and-injured-in-explosion-swiss-ski-resort-town-crans-montana-police-say

Man this is horrible. If I read correctly, one exit?

This reminds me of the horrific station nightclub fire. 

[Asayake]

Apparently the fire spreads very fast like this and people didn't realize the danger so in less than a minute the fire likely went from small and harmless looking to turning the entire basement into an oven and the one way out turned into a chimney. Horrible way to die..

[meta_male]

Heartbreaking. I was there two weeks ago. Crans-Montana was a big part of my childhood, this hits close.

Only one door for a couple hundred people.

Edited 7 hours ago by meta_male

[Natasha Tori Maru]

9 hours ago, Asayake said:

Apparently the fire spreads very fast like this and people didn't realize the danger so in less than a minute the fire likely went from small and harmless looking to turning the entire basement into an oven and the one way out turned into a chimney. Horrible way to die..

My ex is a fireman and he really put the fear in me with the shit he has seen. Horrifying stories.

A lot of older buildings have very odd exemptions from standard fire codes. The difference in building surveyors sighoffs for handover of a project for a new build as opposed to a refit/extension can be eye opening. But modern design is very very diligent with fire safety. Contractors cheaping out and corruption are the parts I am wary of. Sprinkler systems, EWIS & detectors have strict standards immediately apparent and have multiple 3rd parties sign off on them. But a GC can purchase cheap, flammable materials and just lie on paperwork to the surveyor for handover, submitting datasheets and statements they used qualifying materials...

As standard whenever I enter a new building I always look for exits and clear paths - and I pay attention to the way doors open. I naturally do this sort of scanning from working in construction and always sort of ... scoping and comparing quality of builds  Gotta check out the competitions standards!

I have been accused of being paranoid - but safety guidelines are written in blood.

Station nightclub fire was similarly horrific to the OP. A reporter happened to be filming there that night. Some horrifying footage out there of people on fire running from the building with the liquid flammable soundproofing all over them. I think it was less than 90seconds before the building was in flames - if i recall correctly. 100 people died that night.

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Natasha Tori Maru

[Ulax]

Jesus

[Ulax]

10 hours ago, Asayake said:

Apparently the fire spreads very fast like this and people didn't realize the danger so in less than a minute the fire likely went from small and harmless looking to turning the entire basement into an oven and the one way out turned into a chimney. Horrible way to die..

Well, did not realise fires could do that

[cetus]

Night club fire history: The Coconut Grove in 1942.  Air conditioning was first being introduced. A big deal at that time with advertising signs stating, "Air Conditioned". But! The ac system used a flammable gas. A leak in the system plus flammable decor and cigarettes ended in total tragedy. Bodies piled up at the only exit. Part of the problem was also due to the exit doors swung inwards not outwards.