A Father’s Split-Second Decision Saved Ten Lives in a Swiss New Year’s Fire

What was meant to be a joyful New Year’s Eve celebration in the Swiss Alps instead became one of the deadliest nights the region has seen in years. Inside a packed bar at the ski resort of Crans Montana, music, champagne, and celebration quickly turned into fear and chaos when a fire broke out just before midnight. In a space filled with young people welcoming the new year, flames spread rapidly and thick smoke made escape nearly impossible for many inside.

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As authorities continue to investigate the tragedy that claimed forty lives and injured more than one hundred people, one deeply personal story has emerged that has resonated far beyond Switzerland. It is the story of a father whose instincts were triggered by a phone call from his daughter, leading him to run toward danger and ultimately save ten lives during one of the most terrifying moments imaginable.

A New Year’s Eve Celebration Turns Deadly

The fire broke out inside the Le Constellation bar, a popular nightlife venue in Crans Montana that was filled to capacity for New Year’s Eve. Many of those inside were tourists who had traveled to the Swiss Alps to celebrate the holiday, unaware that the night would end in tragedy. Witnesses described how the atmosphere shifted almost instantly from celebration to panic as flames appeared overhead.

According to emergency responders, the fire spread at an alarming speed, filling the venue with smoke and severely limiting visibility. People struggled to find exits as confusion spread through the crowd, with some becoming trapped near doors that quickly became blocked. The chaotic conditions made rescue efforts incredibly difficult in the early moments of the disaster.

Officials later confirmed the devastating toll of the fire. Forty people lost their lives, while more than one hundred others were injured, many suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation. Survivors described collapsing from lack of air and being separated from friends as they attempted to escape.

Images and videos shared afterward showed a charred interior and shattered windows, serving as grim reminders of how quickly the situation escalated. What should have been a moment of joy and togetherness became a night that left families grieving and a community in shock.

Investigation Reveals the Cause of the Fire

Following an investigation, authorities determined that the fire was caused by sparklers placed in champagne bottles, a practice that has become increasingly common in nightlife venues. Videos from earlier in the evening showed people holding up bottles of sparkling wine with lit sparklers attached, creating a visually striking but dangerous display.

It is believed that the sparklers came too close to the ceiling during the celebrations, setting it ablaze. Once the fire ignited, it spread rapidly across the structure, fueled by flammable materials and the enclosed nature of the venue. The conditions made it extremely difficult to contain the fire once it started.

Fire safety experts have long warned that sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and are not designed for indoor use. In crowded spaces with limited ventilation, they can quickly become deadly, especially when combined with decorative materials that ignite easily.

The tragedy has sparked renewed discussions about fire safety regulations in bars and nightclubs across Switzerland and Europe. Many are now questioning how such practices were allowed and whether stricter enforcement could prevent similar disasters in the future.

A Daughter’s Delay That Saved Her Life

One of the most painful aspects of the tragedy is how narrowly Paolo Campolo’s own daughter avoided being inside the bar when the fire broke out. His seventeen year old daughter, Paolina, was supposed to attend the celebration and meet her boyfriend there to ring in the new year with friends.

Before heading to the bar, Paolina stopped at her father’s home on her way to celebrate briefly with family. That delay, which seemed minor at the time, would ultimately save her life. Paolo later reflected on this moment in an interview with Il Messaggero, speaking from his hospital bed.

“It was our fault she was late: She should have been at that club already at midnight. Today I can say it without exaggeration, that delay saved her life,” he said.

By the time Paolina arrived near the venue, the situation had already turned dangerous. Smoke was visible, people were fleeing the area, and emergency sirens could be heard. Overwhelmed and frightened, she called her father for help.

A Father Runs Toward the Fire

After receiving his daughter’s call, Paolo Campolo acted without hesitation. He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his home and ran toward the bar, moving in the opposite direction of those trying to escape. While others were focused on saving themselves, his only thought was reaching his daughter and helping anyone he could.

When Paolo reached the entrance, chaos had taken over. One of the doors was blocked, trapping people inside as smoke poured out. Through the glass, he could see bodies on the ground and limbs pressed against the door as people struggled to survive.

“I forced my way in, and that’s how I managed to save ten young people. There were many Italians there. Through the glass, I could see feet and hands. Bodies on the ground,” Paolo later said.

Inside the bar, conditions were horrific. Smoke made it difficult to breathe, visibility was nearly gone, and people were collapsing from exhaustion and injuries. Despite the danger, Paolo continued pulling people out one by one until emergency services fully took control of the scene.

Inside the Rescue and the Horror He Witnessed

Paolo later described the rescue as something that would stay with him forever. He spoke of bodies falling on top of each other and of young people who were burned, some still conscious and others already unconscious.

“I can only tell you that several bodies fell on top of us. They were young people, alive but burned. Some were conscious, others weren’t. They were asking for help in various languages, including Italian,” he recalled.

As he worked to get people out, Paolo said he was driven by a single, haunting thought. “They could be my children.”

That belief pushed him to keep going, even as conditions became increasingly dangerous. By the time he was pulled from the scene himself, he had helped rescue ten people who otherwise may not have survived.

A Family Marked by Survival and Loss

While Paolina survived because of her delayed arrival, her boyfriend was not as fortunate. He had been waiting at the entrance when the fire erupted and managed to escape only seconds before the situation worsened.

“He was behind the door. He managed to get out right in front of her eyes. He saved himself by a matter of seconds, but now he is hospitalized in very serious condition in Basel with severe burns,” Paolo said.

Paolo added that his daughter’s survival came down to a series of uncontrollable moments. “She was saved by an incredible chain of events. A moment earlier or later, and it would have been a different story.”

The family now faces a long road of recovery, both physically and emotionally. Paolo himself was injured during the rescue and later hospitalized, while the trauma of the night continues to weigh heavily on them all.

Reflection on a Night That Changed Everything

The fire in Crans Montana is a story of devastating loss, but it is also a reminder of how ordinary people can be pushed into extraordinary situations. Paolo Campolo does not consider himself a hero, yet his actions saved lives during a moment when fear could have easily taken over.

The tragedy has forced renewed conversations about safety, responsibility, and how quickly celebrations can turn deadly when risks are ignored. It has also highlighted how survival can hinge on seconds, timing, and decisions made under unimaginable pressure.

As families mourn those who were lost and survivors continue to heal, Paolo’s story stands as a powerful reminder of human instinct and compassion. In the middle of chaos and smoke, one father ran toward danger because he believed the people inside could have been his own children, and that belief made all the difference.

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