47 DIE IN BAR BLAZE

Fire was 'triggered by sparklers in a champagne bottle'

- by JERRY LAWTON, Chief Reporter

AT least 47 New Year's Eve revellers died and dozens were injured in a ski resort bar blaze apparently triggered by sparklers in a champagne bottle.

Flames spread across the basement bar in “seconds” turning it into a scene from a “horror movie”.

Partygoers clambered through choking smoke and flames to reach a staircase leading to the exit of Le Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana.

Last night 80 who escaped remained in a “critical” condition. Officials said many of those caught up in the tragedy were foreign tourists.

Some were so badly burned it could take weeks to identify them. Foreign Office officials were on standby to assist any Brit victims.