The boyfriend of Cyane Panine, the 24-year-old waitress who died in a New Year's Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, has described his frantic efforts to save her life. Jean-Marc G, who had been dating Cyane for a month before the tragedy, told a hearing that he found her after the blaze started and spent an hour performing CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The fire, which killed 41 people and injured 116, began when sparklers ignited soundproof foam on the ceiling. Cyane, dubbed 'the girl in the helmet,' had been holding champagne bottles with sparklers while on a colleague's shoulders. Bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti face charges of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson by negligence.
Jean-Marc, described as an 'adoptive son' to the Morettis, said he did odd jobs at the bar. He testified that Jacques Moretti shouted to him when the fire started, and he found Cyane. The couple allegedly blamed Cyane, claiming she chose to perform the stunt, but her family accuses them of exploitation and false statements.
Investigators found that the foam tiles, installed by Mr Moretti, had not been safety tested for six years. The Morettis deny knowing the risks or encouraging the use of sparklers. Cyane's parents have criticised the couple's tribute calling her 'almost a member of the family,' calling it an attempt to distance themselves from liability.
