A devastating New Year's Eve fire at a Swiss ski resort bar, which killed 40 people and injured over 100, has been linked to sound-proofing ceiling tiles that were never tested for fire safety. The local mayor has revealed the venue had not undergone any official safety inspections for five years.
Mayor Admits Systemic Safety Failure
Nicolas Feraud, the mayor of Crans-Montana, confirmed that no safety inspections had taken place at Le Constellation bar since 2019. He expressed profound regret, stating the authorities were unaware the checks had lapsed. "We owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility," Mr Feraud said.
He explained that an external expert was commissioned in September last year to analyse the bar's soundproofing, but this review only covered compliance with anti-noise regulations. No separate fire safety assessment of the acoustic panels was conducted.
How the Inferno Started and Spread
Investigators believe the blaze began in the early hours of January 1st when sparkler candles on champagne bottles ignited the foam sound-proofing panels on the basement ceiling. The fire then raced across the tiles before engulfing the entire premises.
The victims were predominantly teenagers. The death toll includes two Swiss nationals, eight from France, six from Italy, and individual victims from Portugal, Belgium, Romania, and Turkey. Swiss police have identified all 116 injured, with over two-thirds still hospitalised.
Criminal Investigation and Aftermath
Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal case against the bar's managers, married couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti. They are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. Authorities are examining if the soundproofing material met regulations and whether the sparklers were permitted.
Mayor Feraud has announced an immediate ban on sparkler candles inside venues and a full audit of all local establishments. Despite the tragedy and admitted failures, he stated he would not resign, citing a small team responsible for over 10,000 buildings.
The local council is now conducting an internal review to understand why the safety inspections were missed for so long. Mr Feraud concluded that ultimate responsibility would be determined by the courts, saying it is now "down to the judges."
