At a Glance
- A groom sustained second-degree burns after sparklers ignited a fire at his wedding in Italy on Dec. 27, 2025.
- The blaze erupted inside the Palace Hotel Kristall in Ariano Irpino, spreading to the lobby within minutes.
- Roughly 200 guests escaped; the venue is now listed as permanently closed on Google.
Why it matters: One moment of celebration turned costly, highlighting the risks of indoor pyrotechnics.
A wedding reception became a rescue scene when decorative sparklers set the Palace Hotel Kristall ablaze, injuring the groom and shuttering the historic Italian venue.
Sparklers Ignite Catastrophe
About 200 attendees had gathered at the Palace Hotel Kristall in Ariano Irpino on the evening of Dec. 27, 2025. Multiple Italian outlets, including RaiNews, L’Unione Sarda and la Repubblica, report that several large sparklers-described as resembling light fountains-had been arranged inside the hall and lit for effect.
Video aired by la Repubblica shows the top of the sparkler spouts brushing the ceiling as guests film the display. Flames caught within minutes, racing across drapery and wooden fixtures before reaching the lobby.
Footage captures orange fire and dense black smoke billowing through doorways and above the hotel’s exterior sign. Audio reveals frantic voices and children crying as the room fills with haze.
Single Injury Amid Mass Evacuation
The groom, a resident of nearby Calitri, was hospitalized after suffering second-degree burns to his hand and head while trying to smother the flames, RaiNews states. He was released the following day.
Other guests sustained only minor smoke inhalation; no additional burns were reported.
First responders included firefighters from Ariano Irpino and Grottaminarda, plus Carabinieri officers. Emergency footage shows multiple vehicles and crews working past midnight to control the damage.
Venue Closed for Good
The Carabinieri of Ariano Irpino launched an investigation, according to la Repubblica. Hotel owners expressed shock, calling the incident unprecedented.
Google now displays the Palace Hotel Kristall as “permanently closed.”
Key Takeaways
- Indoor sparklers can reach ceilings and ignite fixtures within seconds.
- One injured person and hundreds of traumatized guests underscore the stakes.
- A single event ended both a business and a couple’s dream reception.
