Swiss fire incident Bar owner insists safety regulations were followed

Images circulating on social media show that sparklers or candle sparks ignited the ceiling on the ground floor of the bar, causing the fire to spread rapidly. (Internet)

The owner of the Swiss New Year’s Eve bar where a deadly fire occurred insists the venue always complied with safety regulations and had undergone three inspections over the past decade. Swiss authorities confirmed the fire was most likely caused by sparks from sparklers or candles igniting the ceiling on the bar’s ground floor. The investigation is now focusing on whether the acoustic foam used on the ceiling met fire safety standards.

Jacques Moretti, owner of La Constellation bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, told Le Temps on Friday (January 2) that the bar had been inspected three times in the past ten years and “everything was done according to regulations.” He emphasized his full cooperation with authorities to uncover the truth.

Moretti has run the bar with his wife Jessica since 2015. At the time of the incident, he was at another bar they operate, while Jessica escaped with minor injuries.

Beatrice Pilloud, the public prosecutor for the canton of Valais—where Crans-Montana is located—held a press conference the same day, stating the fire was most likely caused by candles or sparklers placed on champagne bottles. These were positioned too close to the ceiling, and once ignited, the flames spread quickly.

Social media footage shows the ceiling covered with a thin layer of acoustic foam. The fire spread without immediately alerting patrons, some of whom even raised their phones to record the scene.

Pilloud revealed that the bar’s managers all escaped safely and are being questioned, providing authorities with details about the interior layout, recent renovations, and other relevant information. No criminal liability has yet been established. “The investigation will determine whether the acoustic foam met required standards,” she said.

According to Swiss police as of Friday, the fire killed 40 people and injured 119, many critically. Given the bar’s popularity among young patrons, most victims are believed to be young adults.

Frederic Gisler, chief of police for the canton of Valais, said at the press conference that the identities of 113 injured individuals have been confirmed: 71 Swiss, 14 French, 11 Italian, 4 Serbian, and others from various European countries. The nationalities of 14 others remain unconfirmed.

Reports: Some victims may have been under 16

Swiss authorities have stated that DNA identification of the deceased will take several days, and as of Friday, only one victim had been identified: 17-year-old Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini. Sources indicate that some of the deceased may have been younger than 16—the legal age in Switzerland to consume alcohol.

At a temporary center set up for families, one distraught mother said her 16-year-old son had been missing for 40 hours and pleaded for updates on his whereabouts.

Other parents expressed understanding, acknowledging that the identification process takes time and that thorough verification is necessary to avoid giving families false hope.

This fire—one of the deadliest in Swiss history—has produced so many severe burn victims that it has overwhelmed the country’s hospital capacity. On Friday, EU Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenar?i? (note: original text says "Lahbib," but likely refers to Lenar?i?; however, per instruction, we retain original name as given) Lahbib disclosed that 24 injured individuals have already been transferred to neighboring countries—including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Romania—for treatment.