The deadly fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where at least 40 people lost their lives, has cast a harsh spotlight on a practice that is not confined to events abroad. The use of fireworks or sparklers in enclosed spaces for a few seconds of spectacle in bars and nightlife venues is also recorded in Cyprus, despite the obvious risks.
According to authorities in Crans-Montana, one scenario under examination is that sparklers placed on bottles reached the ceiling, triggering a fire and explosion. What followed were scenes of panic, dozens of fatalities and more than 100 injuries. The images continue to shock internationally.
Also seen in Cyprus
The phenomenon is observed in nightclubs and bars in Cyprus as well. Sparklers are placed on champagne bottles or even handed to patrons for brief moments of visual impact, often in venues with low ceilings and flammable materials.
The practice is visible and documented. Photographs and videos posted by venues themselves, as well as by customers on social media, show such use. In several cases, fireworks are used while the venue is crowded, frequently after alcohol consumption, a combination that heightens the risk.
“We do not see it often in Cyprus”
Speaking to politis.com.cy, the general secretary of the Association of Recreation Centre Owners, Fanos Leventis, said the practice is not widespread in Cyprus, while acknowledging that it does occur in isolated cases.
“We do not see it often in our country, but what happened in Crans-Montana concerned us all. It is a warning and we must take it seriously,” he said.
He noted that business owners cannot always fully control patrons’ behaviour. He added that “these small fireworks are designed for cakes,” stressing that “they are like a knife: it has a purpose, but it can also become dangerous.”
The Fire Service’s position
Asked to comment on both the tragedy in Crans-Montana and the use of sparklers in venues, Andreas Kettis, spokesperson for the Cyprus Fire Service, underlined that any action that could cause a fire should be avoided, especially in enclosed spaces.
“Anything that could, even in the slightest possibility, cause a fire should be avoided, particularly indoors,” he said, adding that where instructions for use exist, they must be followed strictly and responsibly.
The legal framework
Police spokesperson Vyronas Vyronos clarified that these fireworks are not illegal in themselves. “Their possession is legal,” he said, noting that they are products sold on the market. However, he stressed that their use in unsuitable conditions can be dangerous, likening them to “a box of matches.”
Regarding use in private venues, he said responsibility lies with owners or managers, who must ensure safety rules are observed and intervene when dangerous practices are identified.
In closing, he noted that the incident in Switzerland remains under investigation and that any assessment or potential adjustment of practices in Cyprus should be based on the findings of that inquiry.