According to the authorities, there was a flashover in the bar in Crans-Montana

According to a statement issued by the canton of Valais early Thursday afternoon, over 100 injured people were treated. And according to current information, it is assumed that several dozen people lost their lives in the major fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana.

A flashover is the sudden transition from a localized fire to a full-blown blaze. For example, a fire can start with an appliance in a room. If heat builds up on the ceiling of a room, smoke gases spread throughout the room and it very quickly becomes several hundred degrees hot.

This can lead to other flammable objects suddenly starting to burn at the same time and the flames spreading rapidly. Once this happens, survival is virtually impossible. The situation is life-threatening even for equipped firefighters.

Following the fire alarm, the Cantonal Valais Rescue Organization (KWRO) deployed ten helicopters, forty ambulances and over 150 medical rescue workers to care for the injured and transport them to the various hospitals.