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In a tragic incident during a New Year’s Eve celebration, Paolo Campolo, a father residing in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, emerged as a hero by saving several teenagers from a raging fire at a local nightclub. The event, which unfolded in the early hours of January 1, resulted in the loss of over 40 lives and left more than 100 individuals injured.
Campolo, who holds both Italian and Swiss citizenship, was enjoying a festive gathering at his home when he received a frantic call from his daughter. With flames visible from the neighboring nightclub, known as Le Constellation, he knew he had to act swiftly.
A call to action
Shortly after 1:20 a.m., as the party continued, Campolo’s daughter, Paolina, reached out, her voice filled with panic: “Dad, there’s a fire! People are hurt!” Without hesitating, Campolo quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and dashed toward the bar, which was less than 200 feet from his residence.
Upon arrival, he was met with a scene of chaos. Although the flames had started to diminish, the air was thick with smoke, making breathing difficult. Campolo described the fire as having spread rapidly, engulfing the nightclub in mere minutes. He soon realized that the fire extinguisher would be of little use in this dire scenario.
Desperate attempts to save lives
Assessing the situation, Campolo and another courageous bystander located a side entrance to the club, only to discover it was locked. Looking through the glass, they could see the desperate faces and outstretched hands of trapped patrons. Recognizing the urgency, they decided to break the window, allowing them to reach inside and help the victims escape.
“We pushed against the adjacent window and pulled with all our might,” Campolo recounted. “Our goal was to get as many people out as quickly as possible.” Despite the lack of tools, their determination paid off as they managed to create an opening through which several frightened teenagers could flee.
Confronting the aftermath
When Campolo first entered the nightclub, he found his daughter standing outside, visibly shaken. Fortunately, she had avoided harm, having initially arrived late to the party after returning from school. However, the situation was grim for her boyfriend, who had suffered severe burns and was transported to a hospital in Basel in critical condition.
Reflecting on the horror of that night, Campolo described the harrowing images of young individuals in distress, many of whom were minors. “There were so many young people inside the club,” he noted. “It was a popular venue for teenagers, and I saw girls in stylish outfits who were caught in the chaos.”
The haunting memories
Campolo recounted the urgent cries for help he heard from those inside the burning building. “They were alive but burned, some conscious, others not,” he shared. “It was a heartbreaking scene, filled with the lucid desperation of those who knew they were in danger. I’ll never forget their eyes pleading for assistance.”
His own injuries were minor, but the emotional scars run deep. Campolo now finds himself recovering from smoke inhalation while grappling with the memories of that fateful night. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are scrutinizing the nightclub’s management for potential negligence leading to the tragedy.
Campolo, who holds both Italian and Swiss citizenship, was enjoying a festive gathering at his home when he received a frantic call from his daughter. With flames visible from the neighboring nightclub, known as Le Constellation, he knew he had to act swiftly.0