🚨 “I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS CONTROLLED”
Bar owner Jacques Moretti admits he was slow to act during the Swiss bar fire — but a leaked internal log shows a six-minute period during which his position remained unclear. Investigators said those minutes could explain why the emergency exits were not working.
👇 TIMELINE DOESN’T MATCH — IN THE COMMENTS SECTION 👇

“I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS CONTROLLED”: Jacques Moretti’s Admission and the Leaked Timeline Discrepancy in Crans-Montana Fire Probe

The ongoing criminal investigation into the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland — which killed 40 people (mostly teenagers) and injured 116 others on January 1, 2026 — has taken another dramatic turn with revelations from co-owner Jacques Moretti‘s statements and emerging questions about a critical six-minute window during the early stages of the blaze.

Moretti, 49, who remains in pre-trial detention on charges including negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson, has reportedly admitted to investigators that he initially believed the situation was under control and did not act immediately upon learning of the fire. This delay has fueled scrutiny, as a leaked internal log (referenced in media reports and social media discussions) reportedly shows inconsistencies in his whereabouts and response time during the first minutes of the emergency. Prosecutors and experts suggest this period could be pivotal in understanding why key emergency exits — particularly a ground-floor service door — were ineffective or obstructed when victims desperately needed them.

Here are striking images of Jacques Moretti during his court appearances and questioning, highlighting the gravity of the investigation:

This photograph captures Jacques Moretti arriving at the prosecutor’s office in Sion, escorted by authorities, amid intense media scrutiny.

Another frame shows Moretti in custody, his expression somber as the weight of the charges and public backlash bears down.

The fire erupted at approximately 1:26 a.m. CET in the basement of the packed venue, triggered when sparklers attached to champagne bottles (held aloft during a routine celebration ritual) came too close to the low ceiling lined with highly flammable soundproofing foam. The material ignited rapidly, leading to a catastrophic flashover that filled the space with thick black smoke and flames within seconds.

Witnesses and survivor accounts describe panic, choking darkness, and a crush of people at the main staircase exit. Many victims were found piled near doors, suggesting blocked or locked pathways. Jacques Moretti, who was not present in the bar at the moment the fire started (he was reportedly at home), told investigators he rushed to the scene shortly after being alerted. Upon arrival, he claimed he forced open a ground-floor service door that was locked from the inside — an unusual configuration for normal operations — and discovered multiple bodies behind it. He has insisted he did not know why the door was secured that way and denied any intentional act.

Here are chilling visuals from the fire’s aftermath, showing the charred remains of Le Constellation and the blocked exits that became focal points of the probe:

This aerial image depicts the devastated bar building the morning after, with visible damage to the structure and investigators on site examining potential exit routes.

A ground-level shot of the exterior, where flowers, candles, and messages now form a memorial near the service door central to the controversy.

The leaked internal log — referenced in Swiss and French media reports (including RTS and 24 Heures) — reportedly tracks Moretti’s movements via phone data or witness statements, indicating a roughly six-minute gap where his exact position and actions remain unclear. During this window, the fire escalated from ignition to full inferno, and the failure to ensure or communicate about emergency exits could have proven fatal. Prosecutors have not publicly confirmed the log’s details but have emphasized the need to reconstruct the timeline precisely, noting that rapid response and clear access to multiple exits might have saved lives.

Moretti’s admission of being “slow to act” because he “thought everything was controlled” has drawn sharp criticism from victims’ families and lawyers, who argue it reflects complacency or negligence. His wife, Jessica Moretti, who was inside the bar briefly and suffered burns while attempting to help, escaped early and is under judicial supervision but not detained.

Here are additional images illustrating the scale of the tragedy and the community’s grief:

This somber photograph shows a national memorial service in Crans-Montana, with leaders and mourners honoring the 40 victims.

A close-up of the impromptu tribute wall outside the bar, covered in messages demanding accountability and justice.

The investigation continues to focus on several factors:

The use of indoor sparklers in a venue with flammable materials.
No mandatory fire safety inspections since 2019, despite local regulations.
The bar’s layout, including a narrow main staircase and potentially obstructed secondary exits.
Possible prior renovations by Moretti himself (he admitted purchasing and installing the acoustic foam from a DIY store).

Jacques Moretti was detained for three months as a flight risk due to his French nationality (France rarely extradites its citizens), though bail options have been discussed. The couple maintains they will cooperate fully and have expressed profound remorse, stating they are “devastated” and grieving alongside the victims’ families.

As the timeline discrepancies and Moretti’s delayed response come under greater scrutiny, the six-minute window has become a symbol of the tragedy’s preventable nature. Families of the deceased and survivors continue to seek answers, with calls for swift justice and systemic reforms to prevent future heartbreak in Switzerland’s tourism venues.

The pain of Crans-Montana endures, one unresolved minute at a time.