Alp Lüleci writes... Let this holiday not be the last: Fire is not fate, but the flaming state of negligence

Before the Pitcher Breaks…

The school holiday has begun. Children are dreaming of snow again, families are packing their bags saying "let's clear our heads for a few days," hotel reservations have been made, and people are researching entertainment venues to have fun. 

A bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland, on the night of January 1, 2026. New Year's Eve, crowded, music, alcohol. An entertainment venue that turned into hell in minutes. 40 people died, hundreds were injured. Escape routes were inadequate, those inside did not know where to go. Even in a modern, wealthy country where "everything is assumed to be according to the rules," the result did not change.

A year ago, on January 21, 2025, in Kartalkaya. Again, the ski season. Again, the school holiday. Again, a fully booked hotel. The fire that started in the early hours of the morning claimed 78 lives. The numbers there were not just statistics. Mothers, fathers, and children from the same family died together. Small bodies were left under the weight of great negligence.

And we are still pretending to be surprised.

After every fire, the same sentences are uttered: "An investigation has been launched," "If there is negligence, the necessary action will be taken." Yet the issue is not when the fire breaks out. The issue is What Was Not Done Before the Fire Broke Out. Non-functioning alarm systems, locked emergency exits, superficial inspections, reports completed on paper… Everything is known. Everything has been talked about for years. And every time, someone says "we'll look into it later."

Our ancestors did not say it for nothing: Before the pitcher breaks… But for us, it always breaks. And along with everything inside it.

In this country and in this world, fires are not fate. Fires are the flaming state of negligence. They are the result of uninspected businesses, overlooked deficiencies, and a "nothing will happen" culture. Children pay the price for risks that are ignored while occupancy increases during school holidays and inspections are relaxed so the season can finish. Yes, children. We cannot gloss over this with vague expressions. There were children among those who died. There is no benefit to anyone in describing this reality in a flowery way. I am writing this article to say let's take precautions before the pitcher breaks this time… But unfortunately, that possibility is still lurking somewhere out there, waiting for us.

So, what should be done at that moment in a bar or hotel fire?

• First of all, when entering a venue, the location of all exits should be reviewed,

• An alarm should be raised without creating panic but without delay,

• Emergency exits must be open and visible; there should be no locked doors,

• Stairs should be used, not elevators, and no personal belongings should be chased after,

• If there is smoke, one should move by crouching and covering the mouth; for this, at least wet wipes should be kept in one's bag,

• Staff should be guides, not "spectators",

• Assembly areas should be determined in advance and these areas should be known by visitors,

• Notifying the fire department should be an automatic reflex, not something that happens "if it occurs to someone"

But the real issue is not these items. The real issue is establishing systems where these items are never needed. Real inspection. Real responsibility. Real sanctions.

After every fire, we are sad for a few days, then we forget. Until the next pitcher. Yet one day, there will be no pitchers left. Nor what is inside them.

And when that day comes, even proverbs will not be enough.

Retired Senior Naval Captain - SAS Commander Alp Lüleci