Owner of Swiss bar where deadly New Year’s fire killed 40 detained by prosecutors: Officials
The owner of a Swiss bar where a tragic New Year’s Day fire claimed the lives of 40 individuals and left 116 others injured has been taken into custody by prosecutors. Jacques Moretti was placed in pre-trial detention after a meeting with prosecutors in Sion, the prosecutor’s office for Switzerland’s Valais region confirmed.
The devastating blaze engulfed Le Constellation, a popular bar in the resort town of Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps, in the early hours of Jan. 1. Moretti’s wife and business partner Jessica Moretti, who was present at the bar during the fire and sustained burns on her arm, also attended the meeting but was not detained.
Speaking to reporters outside the prosecutor’s office, Moretti expressed his profound sorrow for the victims and those currently battling the aftermath of the tragedy. He described it as an unimaginable catastrophe that has left a lasting impact on all involved.
Swiss officials revealed that the bar had not undergone inspection in the past five years, raising concerns about safety standards. Nicolas Féraud, the municipal chief of Crans-Montana, pointed out a culture of reckless risk-taking at the establishment, putting both customers and staff in harm’s way.
Despite the lack of prior alerts about issues at the bar, Féraud confirmed the presence of an emergency exit in the basement but could not ascertain its accessibility during the fire. The investigation into the blaze, deemed of “undetermined origin” by authorities, continues with multiple hypotheses being explored.
On Jan. 2, the Valais attorney general disclosed that investigators are focusing on the possibility that sparklers attached to champagne bottles may have inadvertently ignited the fire. This theory is based on evidence gathered at the scene and is being thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing inquiry.
