Young people in the Swiss town of Sion described the deadly fire at a ski resort bar as "shocking" and a "reality check" on Friday (January 2), saying it made them realize how close they were to danger.

"It's so close to us that we might have gone there," said 18-year-old U.S. student Eloan Atiso.

"One of the places you go to," added Sony Obomwo, 18, another U.S. student on holiday.

The fire, which broke out at a crowded New Year's Eve party on Thursday (January 1), killed around 40 people and injured 115.

Lennie Sautier, 20, said she still has not heard from her best friend.

From the early hours of Friday morning, police secured the area near the bar with barricade tape, barriers, and tents.

The cause of the blaze remains unclear. Swiss authorities said it appeared to be an accident rather than a deliberate attack.

-Production: Horaci Garcia, Noemi Olive, Michaela Cabrera, Marta Fiorin/Reuters