Teen ran late to a New Year’s Eve party after stopping at her parents’ — but the delay led to 10 people rescued from a deadly fire
They say everything happens for a reason, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. This family's New Year's story explains why. A 55-year-old Paolo Campolo shared that on the night of December 31, a deadly fire broke out at a bar, Le Constellation, in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, as reported by PEOPLE on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Several people were trapped inside when the place was filled with smoke. Paolina, Paolo's daughter, was supposed to be inside the bar, but she was late as she decided to stop by her parents' house to celebrate the New Year with them. The delay not only saved her life but also led Paolo to help rescue at least 10 people.
Paolo, talking to an Italian newspaper, Il Messaggero, said in a translated interview, "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 the delay saved her life." The teen never made it inside the bar, but her boyfriend did. He was waiting near the entrance when a fire broke out shortly after midnight. Paolina immediately called her father for help, who lived nearby and could see the flames. Paolo carried his own fire extinguisher and rushed to the scene.
Talking to the outlet, Paolo recalled, "The flames weren't that high anymore, but there was a lot of thick, black smoke coming out everywhere. The combustion was very rapid, violent, lasting only a few minutes. Then it stopped. But there was no more oxygen inside. And that's what caused the tragedy." During the rescue, Paolo inhaled heavy smoke and was immediately rushed to the hospital for recovery, according to the People. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation; however, Beatrice Pilloud, a prosecutor, explained that sparklers in the champagne bottles may have led to the tragedy by igniting the ceiling, according to CNN. Paolina was "motionless" and completely "in a state of shock" seeing the fire as she waited for her boyfriend. Fortunately, he managed to get out of the bar, but with severe burn injuries.
Adding that his daughter was saved by a "chain of events" that took place that day, he said, "A moment earlier or later, it would have been a different story." When he arrived at the bar, Paolo searched for a way to help the trapped individuals inside and found an exit that was blocked from within. He said, "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 further shared, "They were asking for help in various languages, including Italian. They were very young. That place was a meeting point in Crans, frequented mainly by minors." Paolo explained that those rescued were screaming and suffering from smoke inhalation. "They could be my children," mentioned Paolo, explaining that this one thought kept him going. He also praised the bar authorities next door, who welcomed the injured people into their kitchen and helped them breathe. At least 40 people died inside the bar, and more than 119 were injured, authorities said. As per the report by the BBC, among the victims, 71 were Swiss nationals, 14 were French, and 11 were Italians.