A Swiss court has ordered the owner of a nightclub where 40 people perished in a New Year's Eve blaze to remain in pre-trial detention for at least three months, as devastating new details about the fatal crush emerge.
Owner Deemed a Flight Risk
Jacques Moretti, the 49-year-old co-owner of Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, appeared before a court in Sion today. Judges ruled he must stay in custody until March, agreeing with prosecutors that he presents a serious flight risk. Mr Moretti, described in court as a serial offender with a past as a pimp, was first taken into custody last Friday.
He and his wife and business partner, Jessica Moretti, 40, face multiple charges including manslaughter by negligence, causing bodily harm negligently, and negligent arson in connection with the fire on January 1. Mrs Moretti has been released on bail with an electronic monitoring bracelet.
Narrowed Staircase a 'Decisive' Factor
Investigators have determined that the club's altered staircase played a catastrophic role in the high death toll. According to enquiry sources, 34 of the 40 victims died on a narrow staircase leading from the basement, which had been reduced in width by two-thirds.
Mr Moretti has admitted he personally oversaw the renovation in 2015, narrowing the stairwell from three metres to just one metre. It is unclear if this work had official approval. Multiple sources in France and Italy have stated this alteration "played a decisive role in the disaster".
As panic spread during the fire, the stairwell became fatally congested. One source said victims were trapped as the crowd surged, then were forced back and "were unable to escape". The structure eventually collapsed under the weight, with wooden steps and handrails detaching from the walls.
Sparklers and Locked Doors
The fire is believed to have started when sparklers used in champagne bottles ignited sound-proofing foam fixed to the basement ceiling, triggering a rapid and catastrophic blaze. In addition to the 40 fatalities, 116 people suffered severe burns.
During questioning, Mr Moretti acknowledged that a ground-floor service door was locked from the inside when the fire began. He claims he forced it open upon arriving to find people inside suffering fatal smoke inhalation, but said he did not know why it was locked.
The couple, French nationals from Corsica, told investigators they carried out extensive renovations after renting the premises in 2015, including replacing the ceiling foam. Mr Moretti admitted there was no sprinkler system, no fire extinguishers, and staff had received no fire safety training. He stated the fire service had conducted several inspections over a decade without requesting changes.
Mrs Moretti is said to have driven home with the night's cash takings minutes after the fire started. The investigation into the deadly New Year fire at Le Constellation continues.
