Five people are missing today after a fire tore through a building in the Swiss town of Thusis. It happened shortly after midnight. The blaze completely destroyed the property, which housed both a restaurant and apartments.
If you're following the news out of the Graubünden region, the situation is grim. Nearly 100 firefighters rushed to the scene in the middle of the night. Despite their efforts, the building—which reportedly housed a restaurant called the Beverin—suffered a catastrophic stairwell collapse. This made the structure unstable and incredibly difficult to navigate. Emergency crews actually had to bring in a crane to open up the roof just to attack the flames from above. Don't miss our previous post on this related article.
The current situation on the ground
Authorities have confirmed that 14 people managed to escape the burning structure. However, eight of those survivors are currently in hospitals across Chur, Thusis, Ilanz, and Zurich. Two are dealing with serious injuries. Two others have moderate injuries, and four are being treated for minor issues.
The search for the five missing individuals continues, but it's a slow, dangerous process. When a stairwell collapses in a multi-story building, it doesn't just cut off escape routes; it compromises the entire internal integrity of the floor plates. Firefighters are essentially working in a shell that's waiting to give way further. To read more about the background here, The Washington Post provides an informative summary.
Why fires in older Swiss alpine buildings are so dangerous
The town of Thusis is a beautiful spot in the Graubünden canton, famous for its Alpine scenery. But like many towns in this part of Switzerland, it features a mix of historic architecture and modern renovations.
I've spent enough time in these mountain villages to know that "charming" often hides structural risks. Many of these buildings have been renovated over decades, meaning they have a mix of old wooden beams and newer electrical or heating systems. When a fire breaks out, it can spread through hidden voids in the walls or ceilings faster than any fire alarm system can warn occupants.
When you have a commercial kitchen—like a restaurant—on the ground floor and living spaces above, you have a high-risk scenario. Commercial kitchens use high-heat appliances, deep fryers, and heavy-duty ventilation systems. If a fire starts in the grease ducts or electrical components of a kitchen, it can act like a chimney, pulling heat and smoke straight into the residential units above within minutes.
The investigation begins
Right now, the Graubünden cantonal police and the public prosecutor's office are running the investigation. They’ve stated the fire likely started on the second floor. That’s a critical detail. If the fire began in an apartment rather than the commercial kitchen, the emergency response and evacuation timeline would look very different.
People often ask why these investigations take so long. It isn't just about finding a match. Investigators have to:
- Map out every electrical circuit to look for signs of short-circuiting.
- Sift through the debris layer by layer to preserve any potential evidence of accelerants.
- Interview every survivor to understand exactly where they were when they first smelled smoke or heard alarms.
It’s grueling work. And honestly, with the building essentially destroyed, they are looking for microscopic clues in a pile of ash and charred timber.
What this means for residents and travelers
If you’re planning a trip to the region or living in similar older housing stock, take a moment to look at your surroundings. It's a simple, life-saving habit. Whenever you check into a hotel or apartment, look for the secondary exit. Not just the one you came in through. If that stairwell is blocked, where do you go?
In buildings like the one in Thusis, once the primary exit is gone, you’re often trapped. If you're in an upper-story apartment, having an emergency fire ladder or even knowing exactly where the windows are can be the difference between life and death.
The community of Thusis is dealing with a massive loss. A local hub and people's homes are gone in a few hours. As authorities continue their search and investigation, the rest of us should remember that safety protocols in these historic Alpine buildings aren't just bureaucracy—they're the only thing standing between a beautiful holiday and a tragedy.
Keep an eye on official updates from the Graubünden cantonal police for further information as they clear the site.
