A local father has been branded a hero after helping save ten youngsters from the Swiss ski resort fire. Paolo Campolo burst through an emergency door at Le Constellation, the bar that went up in flames in the early hours of New Year's Day in Crans-Montana.
Mr Campolo rushed to the scene after receiving a call from his daughter who was concerned about her friends and boyfriend inside. He rushed from his nearby home to help those stuck inside the building.
Although many have resulted in injuries with over 40 believed to be dead, it is thought that the actions of the 55-year-old helped save at least ten teenagers.
The hero identified a side entrance to the crammed club and pushed it open to let out some of the trapped revellers. Mr Campolo is currently in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation following his actions.
The Swiss-Italian spoke from his hospital bed and said: "There were several bodies all around. Alive but burnt. Some conscious, others not. They were begging for help in several languages. They were very young."
The analyst told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero that he managed to prize the door open to let some of the young people escape the inferno.
Many youn people remain missing with friends and families making emotional appeals to help locate their loved ones. Other victims have been identified, including Mr Campolo's daughter who is reportedly injured.
When questionned on his version of events, he recalls the looks of desperation from the youngsters. He said: "The looks. The lucid desperation of those who know they're dying.
"Burned people looking at you and asking you not to leave them there. It's something that never goes away." The dead and injured have not yet all been identified however it has been confirmed that among the injured are 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French and 11 Italians.
The owners of the popular nightclub have said they 'cant sleep or eat' following the tragedy as they stress that ""everything had been done according to regulation".
The cause of the fire is being investigated however Swiss authorities have linked the blaze to sparklers from champagne bottles.
