The French co-owner of a Swiss ski resort bar, where a devastating fire claimed 40 lives during a New Year's Eve celebration, has told investigators that a crucial service door was locked from the inside. Jacques Moretti, who ran the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana with his wife Jessica, is currently in custody as Swiss authorities investigate the causes of the tragedy.
Locked Door and a Fatal Discovery
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 that he discovered the locked door in the immediate aftermath of the blaze. He stated that upon arriving at the scene, he was forced to break the door open. Behind it, he found several people lying on the floor.
Most of the 40 victims who perished in the fire were teenagers, with a further 116 people injured. The couple were arrested last Friday, with Jessica Moretti released after a hearing. They now face suspicions of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson.
Sparklers and Soundproofing Foam: A Deadly Mix?
Initial findings from the investigation point to the fire's origin being sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the basement ceiling. Jessica Moretti explained that it was customary to add a sparkler candle when serving a bottle of wine in the dining area.
However, her husband told investigators he had conducted tests and believed the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic material by themselves. He revealed he had purchased the foam from a DIY store and installed it personally during renovations after buying the establishment in 2015.
Questions Over Safety and Underage Access
The investigation is also scrutinising other critical safety failures. Prosecutors are examining the accessibility of fire extinguishers and whether the bar's emergency exits complied with local regulations. It has since emerged that no official safety inspections had taken place at the site for the past five years.
Regarding the presence of numerous minors at the party, Moretti stated the bar's policy prohibited anyone under 16, and required 16 to 18-year-olds to be accompanied by an adult. He said he had given these instructions to security staff but conceded that "it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol." The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, with grief turning to anger as more details emerge.
