Photos show moment deadly blaze began at Swiss nightclub

Photos showing the moment a deadly fire broke out at a nightclub in the Swiss mountain resort of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations emerged on Friday.

One photo shows revellers holding champagne bottles with sparklers aloft as they ushered in the new year, just as the blaze began to spread across the club’s insulated foam ceiling.

The crowd below appears oblivious to the horrors about to unfold.

The fire’s death toll now stands at 40 people, with more than 115 injured. Swiss officials have warned that the death toll could rise, with as many as 100 people in critical condition.

Partygoers were holding bottles with sparklers attached as the blaze began to spread.

In another photo, a person in a Guy Fawkes mask holds a woman in a black dress and a motorcycle helmet on their shoulders, surrounded by other partygoers.

Both are holding champagne bottles filled with sparklers.

A second photo shows a woman in motorcycle helmet holding sparklers.

Other videos that emerged on Friday show people in the club desperately trying to extinguish the blaze while others record the scene on their phones.

The photos and videos are all believed to have been taken inside the Le Constellation nightclub, where the fire took place.

Swiss authorities said it may take days to identify all the victims, many of whom are believed to be in their teens or early 20s.

The first victim to be identified, 16-year-old Emanuele Galeppini, was named on Friday morning.

Galeppini was described as a promising golfer from Genoa who lived in Dubai.

Italian authorities have reported 19 Italians involved in the blaze, with six of them still missing.

A promotional video for the venue featured waitresses wearing crash helmets walking through the club, waving pyrotechnics flaring out of Dom Perignon champagne bottles precariously close to the beamed ceiling.