“I’M ALIVE BY PURE LUCK — THEY ABANDONED US.”
Gaëtan, an injured survivor of the deadly Crans-Montana fire, has finally broken his silence — and his words are sending shockwaves through the investigation. He says those in charge failed to protect anyone, leaving staff and guests to face the chaos on their own when it mattered most. “There was no plan, no warning, no one guiding us to safety,” Gaëtan recalls, insisting that surviving had nothing to do with preparedness — only luck.
His explosive account is now turning the case on its head, raising urgent questions about accountability at Constellations and the responsibility its leadership is accused of avoiding. As more voices begin to speak out, one troubling question grows louder: what decisions were made — or ignored — before everything went wrong?
In the aftermath of the devastating fire that struck the Crans-Montana area, new allegations have surfaced from one of the victims directly affected by the tragedy. Gaëtan, a waiter at the Constellations establishment and one of those injured during the blaze, has come forward publicly to accuse his former employers of failing to take responsibility for their role in the incident. His testimony, emerging weeks after the fire, has reignited a wave of scrutiny over the management practices, safety culture, and accountability within the establishment.
The incident itself unfolded suddenly, shocking residents, tourists, and workers in the region. Fires in mountain resort towns are relatively uncommon, and when they do occur, they are typically remembered for their potential to cause widespread destruction. In this case, while authorities continue their investigation, testimonies like Gaëtan’s are becoming critical components in understanding the sequence of events and what may have contributed to the severity of the incident.
According to Gaëtan, the public image of what happened does not reflect the internal conditions he witnessed personally. Speaking in strong and direct terms, he stated that his former employers “are not capable of assuming their responsibilities correctly,” referring specifically to how the situation was handled both before and after the fire erupted. His account paints a picture of mismanagement, lack of preparedness, and insufficient follow-through in the days following the tragedy.
While the exact causes of the fire are still under review, Gaëtan’s claims suggest that workplace conditions and managerial oversight may have played a role in how the event unfolded. As one of the employees injured during the chaos, his perspective carries weight among colleagues and members of the broader community seeking clarity. What he describes is a pattern of behavior from management that, in his view, prioritized self-preservation over employee safety and clear communication.
In the days leading up to the fire, Gaëtan recalls concerns circulating among staff regarding safety procedures and internal preparedness. According to him, these concerns were not addressed adequately. While he does not claim that these shortcomings directly caused the fire, he believes they contributed to the level of confusion and disorganization that employees faced when the emergency erupted. The lack of structured guidance, he argues, placed workers and guests at unnecessary risk.
During the incident itself, the chaos was immediate. Fires spread rapidly, and employees scrambled to assist guests, evacuate areas, and protect one another. Gaëtan, like many others, was caught in the confusion. He suffered injuries while trying to navigate the unfolding crisis. As he recounts the moments of panic and smoke, he recalls feeling that there was no clear chain of command to guide employees on how to respond safely or effectively.
For Gaëtan, the aftermath of the fire revealed even deeper frustrations. He believes that his former employers were more focused on external appearances — managing public relations, minimizing exposure, and distancing themselves from potential blame — than on providing meaningful support to the injured staff. According to him, communication from management was inconsistent, unclear, and lacked the responsibility he expected as an employee harmed in the line of duty.
His criticism centers not only on the fire itself but also on how support was handled in the following days. Gaëtan alleges that adequate follow-up, financial assistance, and clear acknowledgment of what had occurred were lacking. He describes feeling abandoned at a time when transparency and leadership were needed most. For him, the unwillingness of the establishment’s leadership to address the crisis openly reflects a deeper issue regarding how responsibility is conceptualized within the organization.
His claims have sparked broader conversations about workplace safety standards within the hospitality industry, particularly in tourist regions where rapid seasonal turnover and short-term employment contracts are common. Safety advocates argue that establishments operating in high-risk environments — such as mountain resorts, where fires can spread quickly — must maintain stronger protocols, provide robust training, and take employee concerns seriously. Gaëtan’s account, whether fully substantiated or not, highlights the human cost of inadequate preparedness.
Legal and labor experts note that allegations such as these, when brought forward publicly, can play a meaningful role in shaping future regulatory practices. By speaking out, employees like Gaëtan may contribute to broader reforms that strengthen safety policies and clarify employer obligations. However, experts also urge caution, emphasizing that investigations should be allowed to proceed before definitive conclusions are drawn about responsibility. At this stage, no official findings have implicated Constellations or its management in wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the management team at Constellations has not issued a detailed public response to Gaëtan’s statements. Requests for comment have reportedly gone unanswered or acknowledged only briefly. Whether they plan to address the accusations more formally remains to be seen, but the lack of a clear reply has fueled public curiosity and speculation. Some community members argue that silence suggests avoidance, while others believe management may be withholding comment until after official investigations conclude.
Local authorities continue to review the cause of the fire, interviewing witnesses, employees, and safety inspectors. A full report is expected in the coming weeks, though no definitive timeline has been provided. For many in the community, answers cannot come soon enough. The fire has left emotional and financial scars throughout the region, and the desire for transparency is strong.
In the hospitality industry, where operations rely heavily on trust — trust between staff, management, and guests — events like the Crans-Montana fire can have long-lasting effects. Establishments often face challenges rebuilding their reputations after traumatic incidents, especially when questions arise about how employees were supported. Gaëtan’s statements add emotional weight to the public conversation, reminding many of the human experiences behind headline events.
As discussions unfold, some of Gaëtan’s colleagues have quietly expressed solidarity with him, though few have spoken publicly. Several described similar frustrations with workplace communication and safety culture, but stopped short of making direct accusations. The combination of these sentiments adds complexity to the situation, suggesting that Gaëtan’s claims may not be isolated or unfounded.
Whether or not the allegations lead to official consequences for Constellations remains unknown. However, they have contributed to a broader debate about how employers in high-risk environments address safety, manage crisis responses, and communicate with their staff during emergencies. As legal frameworks evolve and public expectations grow, organizations may face increased pressure to adopt stricter safety protocols and more transparent communication strategies.
For Gaëtan personally, speaking out represents more than frustration — it reflects a desire for acknowledgment, justice, and change. He describes his decision to come forward as an effort to ensure that similar situations do not endanger others in the future. His words, sharp and direct, underline his belief that responsibility must be taken seriously, especially when employees’ lives and safety are at stake.
The Crans-Montana fire remains under investigation, and no final determination has been issued. However, Gaëtan’s testimony adds an important layer to the narrative — one that highlights the human dimension of workplace disasters. As the community waits for official findings, the emotional, ethical, and practical questions raised by his accusations continue to echo through public discussions.
In the coming weeks, the story is likely to evolve as investigators release additional information and as more individuals decide whether to speak publicly. For now, Gaëtan’s voice stands as a reminder that behind every incident of this magnitude, there are human stories marked by injury, loss, frustration, and a call for accountability.
His final sentiment remains clear and unwavering: his former employers, he believes, “are not capable of assuming their responsibilities correctly.” Whether future findings confirm or contradict his perspective, his testimony has already reshaped the public conversation — and ensured that responsibility remains at the heart of the debate.
