Swiss ski resort bar not inspected for 5 years before deadly fire: Officials

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Swiss resort bar, where 40 people were killed in a deadly New Year's fire, had not undergone an annual inspection for the last five years despite regulations, local authorities said Tuesday.

Le Constellation bar had not had any safety checks, investigations, or auditing for five years before the fire that killed 40 people and injured 116, local officials said during a news conference in Crans-Montana.

Speaking to reporters, Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said that all sparkler candles, which were blamed for the fire, have been banned inside venues.

Feraud also said that it is down to the managers of the ski bar to know whether they are within the regulations.

It came after Swiss authorities had launched a criminal investigation into the deadly incident, as the New Year’s blaze sparked scrutiny over underage entry, blocked exits, and inspection failures.