The two managers of a Swiss bar where a New Year’s Day fire killed at least 40 people have been placed under criminal investigation, prosecutors said.
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, a French couple, owned and managed the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, which was packed with young revellers when the blaze broke out at about 1.30am local time. The suspects face allegations of homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence, the prosecutors’ office in the canton of Valais said.
Investigators believe fountain sparklers mounted on champagne bottles and held too close to the ceiling caused the deadly fire. An image shared online appeared to show foam soundproofing panels on the ceiling catching fire as the sparklers were held aloft.
The authorities said the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction. Many of the injured were in their teens to mid-20s, and police are examining whether the ceiling’s sound-dampening material complied with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. They will also look at other safety measures, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.
The region’s top security official, Stéphane Ganzer, said: “Such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn’t work – maybe the material, maybe the organisation on the spot.” He added: “Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that.” The head of the Crans-Montana municipality, Nicolas Féraud, said he was convinced checks on the bar had not been lax. The process of identifying the dead and injured continued as relatives awaited news.
