Table of Contents
A heroic father rescued ten partygoers from a raging fire at a Swiss ski resort after his teenage daughter urgently called him for help.
Paolo Campolo, 55, rushed to the Le Constellation bar, where he forced open a side door to help youngsters escape to safety.
Hero banker Paolo Campolo ‘saved ten youngsters’Credit: Refer to Source
A woman lays flowers outside Le Constellation bar where the fire broke outCredit: EPA
Champagne bottle sparklers appear to have ignited the blaze
The fire injured another 119 individuals, 80 of whom sustained severe injuries, when a massive “flashover” fire erupted in the basement during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It is believed that Campolo’s courageous actions saved at least ten people.
The brave father, a Swiss-Italian financial analyst, hurried to the scene after his distressed daughter called to inform him that her boyfriend and friends were trapped inside while she remained outside.
With the main entrance blocked by people, he noticed a side door and forced it open.
What We Know So Far…
- Nightclub owners named
- Moment waitress waves sparkler before fire
- Teen recounts how he returned to save victims
- Fire erupted after
Footage shows a man yanking open a side door as a terrified young woman rushes out, though it’s unclear if that man is Campolo.
From his hospital bed, where he is being treated for smoke inhalation, the heroic father recounted the nightmare he encountered behind that door.
He told the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero: “There were several bodies all around. Some were alive but burned. Some were conscious, while others were not. They were pleading for help in various languages. They were very young.”
Le Constellation was a popular spot for young people, and many of the victims were teenagers.
Fire crews were already on-site when Campolo rushed over from his home, located just 50 yards away.
The blaze had subsided, but dozens remained trapped inside the smoke-filled club, and chaos reigned at the sole exit.
Joining forces with another man, Mr. Campolo pried open the side door, spotting “hands and faces” before a stream of people rushed to safety.
He stated: “I didn’t think about the pain, the smoke, or the danger. I pulled kids out with my bare hands. One after another. They were alive but injured, many of them seriously.”
When asked what he remembered most from that night, he replied: “The expressions. The clear desperation of those who knew they were dying. Burned individuals looking at you and begging you not to leave them behind. It’s something that never fades.”
His daughter would have also been inside the club when the fire ignited if she hadn’t stopped by the house to celebrate the New Year with her parents.
Mr. Campolo is recovering in a hospital bed in Sion after inhaling smoke. His daughter is unharmed, but her boyfriend is fighting for his life in a hospital.
Among the injured were 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, and 11 Italians, along with citizens from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, and more, according to Frédéric Gisler, commander of the Valais region.
Authorities are looking into the owners of the Swiss ski resort nightclub following the tragic inferno that claimed 40 lives trapped inside.
The married couple who purchased the venue in 2015 transformed it from a rundown café into a popular destination for the après-ski crowd in Crans-Montana.
The exterior of the Le Constellation bar after a fire and explosion during a New Year’s Eve partyCredit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
