A night of evacuation began at 11 o’clock when a sudden fire erupted behind the bar at Le Constellation in Crans‑Montana. Thick smoke and heat forced patrons toward the rear exit, and the narrow stairwell became a bottleneck. Emergency alarms rang as emergency services rushed to the scene, while the swirl of ash obscured the view of the early flames. The setting, a popular tourist venue in the Swiss Alps, contributed to a high density of guests, increasing the risk of congestion during the emergency.

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An unnamed woman, later identified as Marie, acted decisively as the blaze intensified. While most officials were still signaling and directing the crowd, she stepped into a surge of people, guiding them toward the exit. At one point, she intervened when a young adult—travelling with friends—was knocked by a falling bar counter part. Marie provided first‑aid staples and placed a plastic bag on the victim’s head to reduce smoke inhalation. While the fire continued to spread, she helped a group of tourists who were disoriented by the smoke, leading them to a stairwell that was still clear. She carried two injured men toward the ambulance’s waiting area, remaining with them until paramedics arrived.

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Firefighters succeeded in containing the fire within fifteen minutes, preventing further damage to the building’s structure. In the aftermath, the bar’s management confirmed that the damage cost will be covered by the owners’ insurance policy. No fatalities were reported, and the role of quick action by Marie, substantiated by eyewitness accounts, is credited with averting potential casualties. The incident underscores the importance of adequate training for both staff and patrons in emergency response procedures, and it may prompt a review of fire safety standards for similar venues in the region.