Quick thinking action by hero father saved ten lives in Swiss fire after call from daughter
A quick-thinking father has been labeled a hero following action he took to save 10 people from the ski resort bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
On New Year's Eve, a fire broke out inside the Le Constellation bar, taking the lives of 40 people and injuring more than 100.
The devastating fire ripped through the venue, with those celebrating the new year struggling to escape.
It has now been determined, following an investigation, that the fire was caused by sparklers in champagne bottles.
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It is believed that the sparklers got too close to the ceiling of the bar during the evening's events, before setting it ablaze.
In videos and pictured shared online, people were seen holding up bottles of fizz with the sparklers inside of them.
One man, Paolo Campolo, 55, explained that he ended up getting involved in the incident when his 17-year-old daughter - who was due to attend - stopped at his home on her way to the bar.
Paolina was supposed to be meeting her boyfriend but stopped in at her father's house to celebrate the new year.
“It was our fault she was late: She should have been at that club already at midnight. Today I can say it without exaggeration, that delay saved her life,” he told Il Messaggero in an interview translated into English.
Paolina called her father for help when she arrived at the bar, and he ran over with his own fire extinguisher.
Paolina's boyfriend - who was waiting at the entrance - made it out, but is suffering with severe injuries.
“He was behind the door. He managed to get out right in front of her eyes. He saved himself by a matter of seconds, but now he is hospitalized in very serious condition in Basel with severe burns,” Paolo said, speaking from his hospital bed.
“She was saved by an incredible chain of events. A moment earlier or later, and it would have been a different story."
Paolo managed to save 10 people in the tragedy, after forcing his way inside a blocked door.
"I forced my way in, and that's how I managed to save ten young people. There were many Italians there... Through the glass, I could see feet and hands. Bodies on the ground,” he said.
“I can only tell you that several bodies fell on top of us. They were young people, alive but burned. Some were conscious, others weren't. They were asking for help in various languages, including Italian."
Paolo said that throughout the rescue mission, he had one resounding thought: “They could be my children."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Topics: News, World News
Lucy Devine