The first hypothesis of the Swiss authorities regarding the incident at the Crans-Montana ski resort: The devastating fire was caused by "candles-fountain" that were too close to the ceiling.

Prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud stated that the fire broke out due to an anniversary candle placed too close to a bottle of champagne, which was raised too close to the ceiling, causing a rapid conflagration. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the flames spread quickly, and video footage from the scene shows how the ceiling was engulfed in flames.