Charlotte Niddam Crans Montana: British-Educated Teen Missing After Deadly Bar Fire
The first sunrise of 2026 brought tragedy instead of celebration to the Swiss Alps. At 01:30 CET on New Year’s Day, a catastrophic fire engulfed Le Constellation, a popular bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort. In less than ten minutes, the venue was reduced to ash. Forty people are confirmed dead, and dozens remain critical.
Among the missing is 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, a former student of Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire. While official identification is pending, her disappearance has sent shockwaves through the UK’s Jewish community and the quiet suburbs of Hertfordshire.
This report provides the latest verified updates on the search for Charlotte Niddam in Crans Montana, the forensic investigation, and the serious questions now facing Swiss authorities regarding safety standards.
The New Year’s Day Tragedy at Le Constellation
To understand why so many failed to escape, we must look at the specific dynamics of the fire. Survivors describe a scene that shifted from joy to horror in seconds.
Timeline of a Flashover: From Celebration to Chaos
According to the Valais Cantonal Police, the alarm was raised at 01:30 CET. The fire reportedly started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles, often called “Bengal lights”, were lit during a music set.
Experts indicate this was not a slow burn. It was a flashover. A flashover occurs when every combustible surface in a room reaches its ignition temperature simultaneously. In this case, the sparks allegedly ignited the acoustic foam lining the low ceiling.
Dr Robert Larribau, a fire safety consultant based in Geneva, explains the science:
“Acoustic foam made of polyurethane is essentially solid petrol. When it ignites, it doesn’t just burn; it liquefies and rains down fire while releasing toxic cyanide gas. The heat rises to 1,000°C in seconds. This creates a ‘flashover’ where the air itself appears to catch fire.”
This technical reality explains why the casualty count is so high. Patrons didn’t have minutes to evacuate; they had seconds.
Eyewitness Accounts: The 10-Second Inferno
Witnesses who escaped the Le Constellation bar fire in Switzerland describe a bottleneck at the main exit. One survivor, identified only as Marc (24) by 24 Heures, stated: “I saw the ceiling catch. The DJ kept playing for a moment, not realising. Then the burning plastic started dripping on the crowd. People panicked. The crush at the door was immediate. The lights went out, and it was pitch black smoke.”
Another harrowing account from BFMTV details a waitress who was lifted onto a waiter’s shoulders to smash a high window, allowing a handful of people to scramble into the snow.
Who is Charlotte Niddam? The Bushey & Hertfordshire Connection
While the tragedy is international, the pain is acutely felt in the UK. Charlotte Niddam is not just a statistic; she is a beloved daughter and a known figure in her community.
Immanuel College Community “Praying for a Miracle”
The strongest link to the UK comes from Immanuel College, a prominent Jewish day school in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Charlotte attended the school before her family reportedly moved closer to the Swiss resort.
A spokesperson for the college issued a statement early yesterday:
“We are devastated by the reports from Crans-Montana. Charlotte was a bright, spirited student during her time here. We are in close contact with the family and are holding special prayer services. We ask the community to respect their privacy while we pray for a miracle.”
This statement confirms the deep ties Charlotte retained with the UK. Synagogues across Hertfordshire have added her name to their prayer lists, uniting the local Jewish community in hope despite the grim odds.
Charlotte’s Life in Crans-Montana: The Babysitting Detail
Local investigation reveals that Charlotte was an active, responsible member of the Crans-Montana seasonal community. Unlike a typical tourist, she was integrated into the resort’s daily life.
We found active listings on the resort’s official community board where Charlotte offered babysitting services. Her profile described her as “English and French speaking,” catering to the many British expat families who holiday in the Valais canton.
This detail is heartbreaking. It paints a picture of a hardworking teenager who was trusted by local families, making her disappearance a personal blow to the many parents who knew her as the girl who looked after their children.
The Investigation: Sparklers, Foam, and “Negligent Homicide”
As the families grieve, the legal machinery in Switzerland is turning. The Office of the Attorney General of Valais has opened a criminal investigation.
The Role of “Bengal Lights” and Acoustic Foam
The primary focus of the inquiry is the use of pyrotechnics indoors. Under Swiss law, the use of naked flames in a venue with low ceilings and flammable cladding is strictly regulated.
Investigators are focusing on the acoustic soundproofing foam. If the foam was non-compliant (not fire-retardant), the venue owners could face severe charges. This material, often used to dampen noise in residential areas like Crans-Montana, became the primary fuel source.
Legal Outlook: Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud’s Findings
Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud has confirmed the investigation is pursuing charges of “negligent homicide” and “negligent arson.”
The managers of the bar, identified in local records as Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are currently being questioned. The key legal questions are:
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Were the emergency exits blocked?
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Was the acoustic foam up to code?
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Who authorized the indoor fireworks?
If found guilty of negligence leading to mass casualties, the sentences under the Swiss Penal Code can be substantial, though this offers little solace to the bereaved.
Identifying the Victims: A Painful Forensic Process
For the families waiting in the [Hôtel de l’Etrier], the wait is agonizing. The identification process is moving slower than many hope.
Why DNA Samples are the Only Way Forward
The intensity of the flashover fire has made visual identification impossible for many victims. The heat was sufficient to destroy dental records in some cases.
Authorities are relying on DNA matching. Police have collected DNA samples (toothbrushes, hairbrushes) from the hotel rooms of the missing, including Charlotte Niddam. These are being cross-referenced with remains recovered from the site.
Lt. Col. Jean-Marie Bornet of the Valais Police stated: “We will not release names until we are 100% certain. To give a family the wrong body would be a second tragedy. We ask for patience.”
Safety Checklist: How to Spot a Fire Trap
As travelers, we often assume venues are safe. Here are three “Red Flags” to look for in holiday nightclubs:
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The Ceiling Check: Is the ceiling low and covered in egg-crate foam? If yes, stay near the door.
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The Exit Scan: Look for the green running man sign. Is it blocked by stacked chairs or beer kegs? This is a common violation.
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Pyrotechnics: If staff bring out sparklers in a crowded, enclosed space, it is time to leave. The risk of a “flashover” is real.
FAQs
Who is Charlotte Niddam?
Charlotte Niddam is a 15-year-old British-educated student, formerly of Immanuel College in Bushey, who is missing following the fire in Crans-Montana.
Is Charlotte Niddam still missing?
Yes. As of January 3, 2026, she has not been officially identified among the deceased, nor has she been found in local hospitals. She remains listed as missing.
What caused the fire in Crans-Montana?
Preliminary reports indicate the fire was started by “Bengal light” fireworks igniting highly flammable acoustic foam on the ceiling of the Le Constellation bar.
How many people died in the Swiss ski resort fire?
Current official figures confirm 40 fatalities and over 100 injuries.
What is the “Bushey connection”?
Charlotte lived and attended school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, before moving to Switzerland. The local Jewish community there is actively involved in supporting her family.
Who owns the Le Constellation bar?
The bar is managed by Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who are currently assisting police with the investigation into negligent homicide.
What is a “flashover”?
A flashover is a thermally driven event where every combustible surface in a space ignites almost simultaneously due to extreme heat, often blocking escape routes instantly.
Conclusion: A Community Waiting for Answers
The Charlotte Niddam Crans Montana tragedy serves as a brutal reminder of the fragility of life. What began as a celebration of the New Year ended in a disaster that has claimed 40 lives and left a British family in an unimaginable limbo.
As forensic teams continue their grim work in the ruins of Le Constellation, the focus remains on supporting the grieving families and ensuring that those responsible for the safety failures are held to account. For the residents of Bushey and the wider UK community, the wait for news on Charlotte continues.
We will update this report as verified information becomes available.
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