Multiple bars and nightclubs in France have vowed to stop using 'champagne sparklers', the illuminated fountains placed in bottles, after the devices were linked to a catastrophic fire at a Swiss ski resort that claimed at least 40 lives.
The Alpine Tragedy That Sparked Change
The deadly incident occurred on New Year's Day in the basement of Le Constellation nightclub in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Swiss attorney general Béatrice Pilloud, who has opened an enquiry, stated that evidence suggests the fire started when incandescent sparklers in champagne bottles were brought too close to the ceiling, igniting a rapid and widespread conflagration. In total, 119 people were seriously injured alongside the fatalities.
This is not the first tragedy of its kind. In a chilling parallel, 14 people died in 2016 at the Cuba Libre club in Rouen, France, when a fire started by similar sparklers trapped youngsters in a basement.
French Venues Take a Stand
In direct response to the Swiss disaster, French venue owners are taking proactive safety measures. Michel Ludwig, owner of Le Tremplin, Brittany's largest nightclub, announced on Saturday: "We are unable to remain indifferent to the tragedy in Switzerland. We have decided that there will no longer be any illuminated fountains at Le Tremplin."
He confirmed the sparklers would be replaced with LED (light emitting diode) fountains, which pose no fire risk to customers. His sentiment was echoed across the industry.
The management of Replay nightclub in Légéville-et-Bonfays, near Strasbourg, released a statement declaring there was "no longer any place for the champagne sparklers." A spokesman for Le Cosy Bar in Cognac also confirmed they would cease using the devices "as a precautionary measure, and out of respect for the victims and their families." Numerous other bar owners expressed support for the ban on social media.
UK Regulations and the Club Owner's Defence
Despite the action in France, there has been no indication that sparklers will be banned in UK clubs. In the UK, these sparklers are classified as Category 2 fireworks, and it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to purchase them. They remain a frequent feature in UK nightclubs as part of premium 'bottle service' offerings.
Meanwhile, Jacques Moretti, the French owner of the fire-ravaged Le Constellation, has claimed his bar "followed all safety regulations," despite revealing it had been inspected only three times in ten years by health and safety officials. Mr. Moretti was not present on the night of the fire, but his wife, Jessica, was and suffered a burned arm. Neither has been charged with any criminal offence as the investigation continues.
