The owners of a Swiss bar where 40 people died in a New Year's Eve fire have described how a waitress they viewed as a 'stepdaughter' suffocated 'in a pile of bodies behind a locked door.' Jacques and Jessica Moretti recounted the final moments of Cyane Panine at Le Constellation in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana.
Jessica Moretti had encouraged Panine to 'get the atmosphere going' in the early hours of January 1, which included waitresses placing sparklers in champagne bottles while being lifted on waiters' shoulders. The flames are believed to have ignited soundproofing foam in the ceiling, triggering the deadly blaze that killed 40 and severely burned 116 others.
Jacques Moretti, 49, eventually broke open the basement door from outside, finding Panine dying amid a 'pile of bodies.' He told prosecutors he only later realised the 'service door' was 'locked from the inside and on a latch.' Jessica Moretti allegedly drove herself home after escaping with the cash till, but Jacques said he told her to go home to care for their children.
Both owners face possible trial on charges including manslaughter and causing bodily harm by negligence. Jacques is in custody, while Jessica is bailed with an electronic bracelet. Jacques described finding Panine: 'We forced it open... several people were lying on the floor, unconscious. My stepdaughter Cyane was one of them.' He and her boyfriend tried to resuscitate her for over an hour.
