In brief
In Thusis, a Swiss Alpine town, a fire broke out on the second floor of a restaurant‑apartment building, leaving five people missing and eight injured. The blaze, which began around midnight, obliterated the structure and required a crane to open the roof after the stairwell collapsed. Authorities are still investigating the cause while hospitals in Chur, Ilanz, Zurich and Thusis treated patients. The Graubünden region, a popular winter and summer destination, faces a dramatic reminder of safety risks in mountainous communities.
A massive fire tore through a restaurant‑with‑apartments on the second floor of a building in the mountain town of Thusis, Switzerland, at the stroke of midnight. The blaze was intense enough to collapse the stairwell, requiring a crane to reach the roof and pull firefighters to the fire’s source. Roughly 100 firefighters rushed into the scene, battling hard‑smoldering columns of fire that left the building “completely destroyed.”
After the fire, authorities reported that fourteen people had escaped; of those, two suffered serious injuries, two moderate losses, and four minor injuries. Seven people were taken to hospitals in Chur, Thusis, Ilanz, and Zurich for treatment. Police and prosecutors are still trying to determine whether the blaze was accidental or intentional.
The Graubünden region, also called Grisons, is famed for winter sports and summer hikes, attracting visitors from all over Europe. Yet, this incident reminds local communities that mountainous towns face unique risks. Residents and travelers alike are urged to maintain vigilance, especially during late‑night city life when temperatures can drop abruptly, creating a danger for fires in mixed‑use buildings.
