9AM: OCTOBER 21, 2008:
It was a view from a postcard that turned into a nightmare.
Kill Hannah Tour Bus (Somewhere in the Swiss Alps between our shows in Bologna, Italy and Paris, France).
We wake up to the smell of toxic smoke and the serious tone of our Tour Manager shouting three words you never want to hear: “Bus on Fire.” Within seconds all band members (including support act My Passion), crew and guests were standing shirtless and shoeless on the side of the winding road as the entire 2-floor 45ft bus was fully engulfed in flames. Windows began bursting from the heat and there were several large explosions. It took Swiss firefighters less than 15 minutes to respond to the blaze, but by that time the bus and virtually all of the band’s possessions were lost: including luggage, clothes, passports, wallets, laptops, shoes, phones, and countless irreplaceable sentimental personal items, including many gifts given to us by fans as we’ve crisscrossed the UK and Europe over the last month on tour.
We stood, surrounded by scenic snowcapped mountains, watching the scene in disbelief, comforting one another as the blaze was battled. After two hours we were permitted to return to the blackened shell of the bus in a vain attempt to retrieve anything that may have survived. Finally, we were all taken by charter to the Swiss village of Airolo where I write you now from a tiny hotel.
Fortunately, aside from smoke inhalation and shock, everyone is fine, as is our trailer of gear and merchandise. Half of us are without shoes, and although we all smell like noxious smoke and chemicals, we are all warm in our own band’s hoodies and t-shirts. The hotel has a bar and an accordion, so we will try to keep spirits high while we await our replacement bus from Manchester, England.
The official cause of the fire will remain unknown until after tomorrow’s investigation, but it appears to have started underneath the bus as it was driving.
We are very sorry to have to cancel both our Paris and Belgian dates, but we expect to be in Stoke On Trent in time for Thursday’s show.
We want to thank the KH fans, our friends, our crew, our management, The Hotel Des Alps, the staff at Restorante Cristallina, and all the Swiss Emergency personnel for helping us through this traumatic day.
Kill Hannah singer Mat Devine : Tuesday Evening, October 21, 2008
Photos are posted in the photo album, and below is a video from the fire itself.
Thank you to everyone who is wishing the band well and for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Kill Hannah Bus Fire Video