In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, the French owner of the Swiss bar, where a devastating fire claimed the lives of 40 individuals during New Year celebrations, revealed to investigators that a service door was locked from the inside at the time of the blaze. Jacques Moretti, who co-owns the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday as authorities began their investigation into this heartbreaking event.
Among the casualties, a majority were teenagers, and the fire also left 116 others injured, prompting a wave of grief and concern throughout the region. After the fire, Moretti informed the Valais public prosecutor's office that he discovered the door was locked only after the disaster had occurred. Upon arriving at the scene, he recounted that he had to force the door open, revealing several people lying behind it, as reported by various French and Swiss media sources, which were confirmed by a contact connected to the case.
Initial investigations indicate that the fire may have originated from sparklers igniting soundproofing foam that was installed on the ceiling of the bar's basement area. This raises significant concerns about safety measures in place, particularly regarding the availability and accessibility of fire extinguishers, as well as whether the exits from the bar complied with safety regulations.
In an alarming revelation, the mayor noted that the bar had not undergone any safety inspections for the past five years, raising further questions about the establishment's adherence to safety standards. "We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room," stated Jessica Moretti, Jacques's wife and co-owner, who was released following a hearing on Friday.
Jacques insisted to investigators that he had conducted tests proving the candles were insufficiently powerful to ignite the acoustic foam. He mentioned that he purchased the foam from a DIY store and personally installed it during renovations after acquiring the bar in 2015.
When confronted with the presence of numerous underage patrons at the time of the fire, Moretti insisted that the bar had strict rules prohibiting entry to anyone under 16 years of age, while customers aged 16 to 18 were required to be accompanied by an adult. Despite this, he admitted to the investigators that there might have been a lapse in enforcing these instructions among the security personnel.
The couple now faces serious charges of "negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson," prompting many to reflect on the responsibilities of bar owners and the importance of stringent safety protocols. How can such tragedies be prevented in the future, and what more should be done to ensure the safety of patrons? These are crucial questions that demand thoughtful discussion.
