Swiss New Year’s Eve bar fire: owner admits service door was locked

New details have emerged in the investigation of the devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, which killed 40 people on New Year’s Eve. Authorities have revealed that a service door in the basement was locked from the inside.

Bar owner Jacques Moretti has admitted this to investigators, telling them he found several lifeless bodies when he opened the door from the outside. The public prosecutor’s office is now examining the implications of this revelation.

Charges against the Morettis could increase

Several guests reportedly tried to escape through the locked service door during the fire but were trapped and ultimately lost their lives. Moretti claims he did not know why the door was locked. If prosecutors determine that Jacques and Jessica Moretti were partly responsible for the locked door, they could face more serious charges.

At present, the couple is charged with involuntary manslaughter, negligent arson and negligent bodily harm.

Possible charges of conditional intent

If investigators conclude that the Morettis knew the door was locked and accepted the risk, the court could rule that the deaths amounted to murder with conditional intent. In that case, Jacques and Jessica Moretti could face up to 20 years in prison.

Additional safety concerns

The investigation has also focused on the acoustic foam used on the bar’s ceiling. Jacques Moretti stated that he had removed the old foam and replaced it with a new one purchased from a Hornbach DIY store. Swiss media report that staff were aware of the risks associated with this type of foam.

On New Year’s Eve 2019, a waiter is said to have warned guests about the risk of the foam catching fire. Prosecutors are currently investigating whether this claim is accurate. If confirmed, it could lead to further charges against the Morettis.

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