The owners of a popular ski bar in Switzerland, where a devastating fire broke out on New Year's Eve, are now under formal investigation for negligent homicide. The blaze at Le Constellation bar in the upscale Alpine resort of Crans-Montana claimed 40 lives and left more than 100 people injured, many of them seriously.
Charges Laid and Victims Identified
In a sombre update on Saturday, Swiss police confirmed they have opened a criminal investigation into the bar's proprietors, Jacques and Jessica Moretti. The couple, who took over the venue in 2015, are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and causing a fire by negligence. They were formally interviewed by authorities on Friday, 2nd January 2026.
The painstaking process of identifying victims continues. Police have so far identified and returned the bodies of four young Swiss nationals to their grieving families: two women aged 21 and 16, and two men aged 18 and 16. For the families of those still missing, the wait for news remains agonising.
Sparkling Candles and Safety Questions
Investigators revealed their preliminary findings on Friday, stating they believe the fatal inferno was ignited by sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles. It is alleged the flames came into contact with the bar's ceiling, which was covered in sound-dampening material.
This discovery has prompted a rigorous examination of the premises' safety protocols. Authorities are scrutinising whether the ceiling material met regulatory standards and if the use of such candles was even permitted inside the crowded venue. Officials have also pledged to inspect other critical safety measures, including the availability and placement of fire extinguishers and the adequacy of escape routes.
Contradictory Statements and a Community in Mourning
In comments made to local media, 49-year-old Jacques Moretti, who said he spent six months refurbishing the bar himself, insisted that all work was completed according to regulations. "Everything was done according to the rules," he told Swiss-French outlet Le Nouvelliste.
However, these claims stand in stark contrast to the statements of public officials. Stéphane Ganzer, the Valais region's top security official, told SRF public radio, "Such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn’t work — maybe the material, maybe the organization on the spot." He added, "Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that."
Meanwhile, the head of the Crans-Montana municipality, Nicolas Féraud, told RTS he was "convinced" checks on the bar had not been lax. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the international community, with many of the injured reported to be teenagers and young adults in their mid-20s who were enjoying the resort's famed après-ski scene.
