Just a reminder: on New Year's Eve, a fire broke out at the club in the Swiss ski resort of Crans Montana due to the use of sparklers. The fire resulted in 40 fatalities, including 20 minors, and 119 injuries. The managers are currently under investigation for “homicide by negligence.”
Many professionals claim that such a tragedy inevitably stems from a buildup of negligence. Dalton, director of the Sacré and operations manager at Mac SECURITY, laments: “Unfortunately, it takes a tragedy to realize the consequences.”
What standards are supposed to protect the public?
To ensure evacuation, a venue must: meet a capacity limit...
gale fixed by the prefecture based on its size. Exceeding this makes it unsafe for the public, as it increases the risk of crowd movement and slows down exits. It's also important to keep the emergency exits clear and visible at all times.The role of security is essential. There are two types of training for security personnel: a "standard" training and a "fire safety" training provided by firefighters, which must be regularly renewed.
“I was at a concert and the singer lit a smoke bomb on stage; the security guard dragged him off the stage and then got a telling off from the artist's team. He replied that the safety of the people was his responsibility and that in case of a disaster, it would be his fault. That really struck me,” shares Lisa (name changed), 28 years old, a regular at La Maroquinerie, a concert hall in Montreuil.
Basements, small halls: real risk?
If a club meets safety standards, it's no riskier than anywhere else. Dalton, a fire safety officer for Sacré, explains, “The club is underground, but it is equipped with air extractors that will draw out the smoke, as well as appropriate emergency exits and detection systems.”
/>Danger doesn’t come from the place, but from the disregard for the rules.
In truth, clubs are very regimented places that must be built with fire-resistant materials, including for the decorations. They are equipped to detect and react quickly (alarms, fire extinguishers). And they undergo regular checks: extinguishers generally once a year, detection systems every six to twelve months.
The case of Crans Montana, could it happen anywhere? ?
The security agent of the Sacré is categorical: no. “You’re never completely safe from a tragedy, but what happened is necessarily due to a non-compliance...with love. This level of drama is impossible if the standards are respected."
According to him, a fire can break out even in a well-managed place: "The difference lies in the reactivity." He explains: "At Badaboum, a year ago, a small fire started at the DJ booth. The staff immediately cut the electricity, preventing any spread."
After a tragedy, the rules change
The case of Crans Montana is not an isolated one. After the fire at Cuba Libre in Rouen in 2016, which resulted in 14 deaths, nearly 14 establishments were closed for safety upgrades.
Since the fire at Crans Montana, some clubs have already reacted: abandoning pyrotechnics, enhancing vigilance... The government has reportedly encouraged internal caution, which signals a wave of inspections of clubs to come.
The public is responsible too
The tragedy at Crans Montana serves as a wake-up call for nightlife patrons. Professionals are...
Fumigants, flammable objects, and cigarettes are a no-go indoors. While the club is a space that breaks social norms and feels like it's outside of everyday reality, this event also raises awareness among the public about safety rules for everyone.