Venue had not been inspected for five years and sparklers now bannedpublished at 11:04 GMT
11:04 GMT
Image source, MAXIME SCHMID / AFP via Getty Images
The mayor of Crans-Montana has announced to the media that the bar where a deadly fire during New Year’s celebrations killed 40 people had not had any safety inspections, checks or audits for five years – despite officials usually reviewing venues in the region for fire risks each year.
“We regret that – we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility.”
Nicolas Feraud told reporters the council wanted to be “immediately” transparent with its investigation, but that he would not resign.
He said officials are now looking into what happened and that will include a full audit of all venues in the area.
The mayor also announced that all kinds of sparklers were now banned in local venues, calling the move a “no brainer”, after authorities said they believe the fire started when sparklers were held too close to the ceiling, which was covered in foam sound-proofing panels.
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