Swiss Bar Owners Point Finger at Young Staff Following Deadly New Year Inferno
The owners of a Swiss ski resort bar where 40 people perished in a New Year's Day fire have squarely blamed their young employees for causing the tragedy and obstructing an emergency exit. Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica Moretti, 40, both French nationals, are currently under judicial supervision as prosecutors continue their investigation into the horrific blaze at the Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.
Defence Strategy Focuses on Blaming Deceased Waitress
During approximately twenty hours of interrogation by three prosecutors, the Morettis' defence strategy centred particularly on attributing responsibility to waitress Cyane Panine, aged 24, who tragically died in the fire. According to leaked interview records reported by Le Parisien, the couple maintained a consistent position of "It's not us, it's the others."
Jacques Moretti told the enquiry that Cyane had performed what he described as "Cyane's show" – climbing onto the shoulders of a colleague while holding two champagne bottles containing lit sparklers. The waitress was wearing a promotional crash helmet provided by Dom Perignon champagne house, which allegedly prevented her from seeing the pyrotechnics ignite the bar's basement ceiling, which was covered in highly flammable foam.
"I didn't forbid her from doing that," Jacques Moretti told prosecutors. "I didn't make her pay attention to safety instructions. We didn't see the danger. Cyane liked doing that – it was a show, she liked to be part of the show."
Conflicting Accounts of Responsibility
Jessica Moretti, speaking during the same hearing on January 20th, echoed her husband's sentiments: "Cyane liked to deliver these bottles – she did it of her own accord. If I had thought there was the slightest risk, I would have forbidden it. In ten years of running the business, I never thought there could be any danger."
However, survivors of the blaze and Cyane's family have vehemently contested the Morettis' version of events. They assert that Jessica Moretti, as manager on the night, actually sent Cyane out with the bottles and encouraged her to perform the stunt using the Dom Perignon helmet.
Fire Safety Procedures Questioned
Regarding fire safety protocols at the establishment, Jacques Moretti admitted to the enquiry: "There was no training, but employees were told what steps to take in case of fire when they were shown around the premises." He outlined the supposed procedures as: "Evacuate the customers, raise the alarm, and call the fire department. And of course, if they had time, use the fire extinguishers to put out the fire."
When confronted with testimony from an employee identified only as L., who claimed to have no knowledge of the fire extinguishers' locations, Jacques Moretti responded: "The staff has several shifts, and maybe I forgot to give this information to L., but it was going to be passed on at some point. Maybe I forgot."
Controversy Over Locked Escape Door
Both Morettis also attributed blame to an unidentified staff member for allegedly locking an escape door in the basement. Cyane Panine was among those found dying from smoke inhalation behind this door after it was eventually forced open.
"The door was always open," Jessica Moretti insisted to the enquiry. "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wonder why that door was closed that night. We always said that the door was always open, and it was taken for granted."
Jacques Moretti elaborated: "After the tragedy, we learned that an employee delivered ice cubes to the Constellation and, without understanding why, closed the latch at the top of the door." He claimed to have subsequently sent a text message to this employee stating: "You shouldn't run away, you should stay here and take responsibility."
The staff member in question, when contacted by Le Parisien, strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting: "I didn't close a door that was already locked."
Inflammable Foam Installation Approved
Concerning the highly flammable foam installed during 2015 renovations, Jacques Moretti stated: "The fire chief and the fire captain approved it." This material contributed significantly to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the basement area.
Owners' Conduct During Evacuation Scrutinised
Reports have emerged of video evidence allegedly showing Jessica Moretti escaping the New Year fire while carrying the cash register under her arm and ignoring victims. Addressing these allegations, she told the enquiry: "I accept what's being said about us, even if it's false. It's nothing compared to what the families are going through. We worked hard and tirelessly. We always did what was asked of us."
Questions About Underage Patrons
When questioned about the presence of extremely young individuals in the bar on New Year's Eve – including one 14-year-old boy who died – Jessica Moretti responded: "We're not infallible. I've thought about it a lot. Maybe there were fake IDs. Perhaps some slipped through the security guard's net. Perhaps some entered during the fire when the security guard was occupied elsewhere."
Legal Proceedings and Restrictions
The Morettis face trial for manslaughter by negligence, causing injury by negligence, and causing arson by negligence relating to the 40 deaths and severe burning of 116 others. Both deny any criminal or civil wrongdoing concerning the fire.
Jacques Moretti, a former pimp who has served prison time in France, was recently released from his remand cell and is currently under police supervision alongside his wife. Although considered flight risks by Swiss authorities, they have been permitted to remain at home to care for their two children while wearing electronic tags, having their passports confiscated, and reporting to a police station every three days.
The couple highlighted their own suffering during the enquiry, with Jacques Moretti telling prosecutors: "We are also victims, but not to the same degree. Losing a child is the worst thing that can happen, and I wanted to say that."
The comprehensive investigation into the devastating Constellation bar fire continues as Swiss authorities piece together the exact sequence of events that led to one of the country's deadliest nightlife tragedies.
