The French owner of a bar in a Swiss ski resort, where a devastating fire killed 40 people during New Year's Eve celebrations, has told investigators that a crucial service door was locked from the inside. Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, is currently in custody as prosecutors investigate the tragedy that also left 116 people injured.
Owner's Account of the Locked Door
According to excerpts from police reports confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case, Jacques Moretti informed the Valais public prosecutor's office about the locked door shortly after the deadly blaze. He stated that upon arriving at the scene, he forced the service door open and discovered several people lying behind it.
Most of the 40 victims who lost their lives were teenagers. Moretti and his wife Jessica, who co-owned the establishment, are now suspects and face charges of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson.
Investigation into the Fire's Cause and Safety Failings
Initial findings from the investigation suggest the fire originated in the bar's basement. It is believed that sparklers, which were reportedly added to bottles of wine served in the dining room, came into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling.
Jessica Moretti, who was released after a hearing on Friday, confirmed the use of sparklers, stating, "We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room." However, her husband told investigators he had conducted tests and believed the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam, which he had purchased from a DIY store and installed himself during renovations in 2015.
Serious questions are being raised about the bar's overall safety. Authorities are examining the accessibility of fire extinguishers and whether the building's exits complied with local regulations. It has also emerged that no official safety inspections had taken place at the site for the past five years.
Protocol Lapses and Underage Patrons
The presence of numerous underage individuals in the bar at the time of the fire has come under scrutiny. Jacques Moretti claimed the establishment's policy prohibited anyone under 16, and required those aged 16 to 18 to be accompanied by an adult.
He admitted he had given these instructions to security staff but acknowledged that "it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol." This admission points to potential failures in crowd management and age verification on what was one of the busiest nights of the year.
The community of Crans-Montana and the families of the victims, many of whom were young, are now grappling with a tragedy that has shifted from grief to anger as more details about the apparent safety oversights emerge.
