Windsor fire officials stress fire safety after deadly Swiss bar blaze

Windsor Fire Officials Urge Compliance with Fire Safety Rules

Windsor fire officials remind bar and restaurant owners to follow fire safety rules. This comes after a deadly New Year’s Eve bar fire in Switzerland that killed 40 people and injured over 100 others.

Fire Code Requirements for Bars and Restaurants

John Smith, acting chief fire prevention officer with Windsor Fire and Rescue Services, states that places where people gather, like bars and restaurants, must meet strict fire code requirements. This is especially important when combustible materials are present.

“Any time that we have any kind of combustible material that’s in those places where people gather for various reasons, we want to make sure that they are beating standards,” Smith said. He explained that fire safety tests ensure businesses use materials that do not burn quickly or spread flames easily. “That’s so you don’t get a fire that would grow out of control in a short period of time.”

Details of the Swiss Bar Fire

Swiss investigators believe that sparkling candles on champagne bottles ignited untreated ceiling materials. The fire occurred at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Authorities noted that safety inspections had not been conducted for several years prior to the fire.

Restrictions on Open Flames

Smith mentions that open flames inside Windsor bars and restaurants are generally not allowed. “Any open flame is never going to be approved other than if it’s a kitchen appliance that is already covered by a suppression system and ventilation hood,” he said. He added that Windsor does not permit open flame use during public gatherings or assemblies.

Detroit Fire Officials Share Concerns

In Detroit, fire officials express similar concerns after the Swiss tragedy. The Detroit Fire Department states that open flames, including sparklers and fireworks, are prohibited inside bars and restaurants unless specifically approved by the fire marshal.

“Fire safety regulations are not arbitrary — they are built on hard lessons learned from tragedies like this,” said Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms. “Business owners have a responsibility to do everything possible to protect the people who walk through their doors.”

Enforcement and Education in Detroit

Detroit Fire Marshal Don Thomas emphasizes that enforcement goes hand in hand with education. “Compliance with the Detroit City Code is essential to public safety,” he said. Inspectors work with owners to address issues before emergencies occur.

Investigation into Swiss Bar Fire

Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the bar’s managers. Local officials acknowledged that inspections had not taken place since 2019, which is now under scrutiny as investigators determine how the fire spread so quickly.

Police have identified all 40 victims of the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, including multiple teenagers. Two managers of Le Constellation bar are under investigation for criminal negligence, according to prosecutors.

Windsor Fire Inspections

Windsor fire officials state that inspections are a routine part of operating a licensed business. Smith says the fire department makes annual efforts to inspect establishments, especially those serving food or operating as public assembly spaces.

“The fire department yearly makes every attempt to get into those establishments to make sure that they are meeting fire code requirements based on what the occupancy is being used as,” he said.

Fire Safety Requirements

Requirements vary based on occupancy type and capacity. They can include full sprinkler systems, smoke and heat detection, or fire extinguishers. Clear exits are also critical.

“Means of egress to the exit are always clear,” Smith said. “The exit doors are only supposed to have one locking mechanism. They should never have any special knowledge to unlock an exit to the outside.”

Consulting the Ontario Building Code

Smith urges business owners to consult the Ontario Building Code. They should notify the fire department before making any interior changes that could affect fire safety.

The mayor of Crans-Montana noted that there hadn’t been a safety inspection since 2019 at the Swiss bar where the fire occurred.

Lessons from Past Tragedies

He said the Swiss fire is a reminder of past tragedies, including the 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people. “North America has already been exposed to a situation like this, so we are very aware, and we do look out for any contraventions that we will address before something terrible happens,” Smith said.

He added that staff training and fire safety plans are key. “When you have any kind of establishment that you have people assembling, make sure that the staff, the business owners, make sure they’re aware of the requirements under the fire code,” Smith said. “Research whether your establishment, based on the type and occupancy number, requires a fire safety plan.”