Zermatt garage fire causes injuries and transport disruptions

A major fire broke out on October 1, 2026, at the Garage Schaller facility, involving a parking garage and repair workshop at the entrance of Zermatt, Switzerland. The blaze resulted in three injuries and caused massive smoke development that spread across the village center.

Due to the presence of flammable materials such as paints, tires, and operating fluids, the fire caused several explosions and intense heat, making it impossible for firefighters to enter the building directly. Emergency services from Zermatt, St. Niklaus, and Visp were deployed to combat the flames from the exterior.

The incident led to significant infrastructure disruptions, including the temporary closure of the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn railway line between Täsch and Zermatt, as well as the local access road. Authorities issued an Alertswiss warning, instructing residents to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the affected area due to toxic smoke.