Couple behind Swiss bar suspected of manslaughter by negligence after horror inferno killed 40 as owner breaks cover
Swiss bar owners have been pictured for the first time since the deadly inferno.
THE married couple who own the Swiss resort bar that burst into flames and killed 40 are facing manslaughter charges.
Police announced on Saturday afternoon that a criminal investigation had been opened against Jacques and Jessica Moretti on Friday night.
The couple bought the bar in 2015Credit: X
The violent blaze broke out on New Year’s Eve
Jacques and Jessica Moretti are being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Teenagers were amongst the dead and the 119 injured in the horror “flashover” fire that tore through the packed club they own – called Le Constellation – at around 1:30am local time (12:30am GMT) on Thursday.
A statement from Valais police read: “Crans-Montana: Criminal investigation opened against the operators of the “Le Constellation” bar.
“The initial findings of the investigation into the fire that occurred on 1 January 2026 at the “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana have led to the opening of a criminal investigation against the two operators of the establishment.
“The fire, which broke out during the night of 1 January 2026, claimed the lives of 40 people and left 119 others injured, the majority of them seriously.
“Following the completion of the initial investigative measures carried out under the direction of the Office of the Public Prosecutor of the Canton of Valais, a criminal investigation was formally opened last night against the two bar operators.
“They are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson.
“It is recalled that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction has been handed down.”
Local police said that the public prosecutor had not requested the pre-trial detention of the couple, and no travel ban was imposed on them.
Béatrice Pilloud, attorney general of the Valais region, said the investigation “was opened because we have suspicions, but until there is a conviction, there is a presumption of innocence which prevails”.
Moretti, in a previous interview, maintained the couple’s innocence, saying “everything was done according to the standards,” and that the venue had been inspected multiple times since they had taken it over.
Stéphane Ganzer, The Valais State Councillor in charge of Security, said: “Someone made a mistake, I am sure of it.”
Speaking on Swiss radio, he said: “A fire this serious in Switzerland, where we have professional standards and controls, means that something went wrong.
There was an emergency exit, there were controls in place.
“For me, the problem isn’t just the candles, but the ceiling.”
One eyewitness said: “There was no second way to get out and that was a big problem.
“But what I remember the most is all these people laying on the streets.
“Young girls who were dressed for a night out because it was New Year.
“They were totally red in their face, they had no fingers anymore, they were screaming in pain.
“They tried to get them in ambulances to get to the hospital, to get to the helicopters.
“That screaming was incredible, awful.
“And that was something that you never want to see in your life.
“You see it on films, but when you see it in reality, it’s really a disaster, it’s awful to see.”
Justice Minister Beat Jans added: “Switzerland is deeply saddened. On behalf of the Federal Council I wish to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
The nightclub during the renovation – the sound proofing can be seen on the ceiling
A probe is underway to determine if the width of the staircase meets the safety standardsCredit: SUPPLIED
Images from inside the bar before the fire which show the foam cladding being set alightCredit: BFM/Twitter
“Switzerland will always remember the victims. May they rest in peace.
“As a father of two daughters I can only imagine the immeasurable suffering they are going through.
“Our thoughts are with them, with the injured, their families and friends.
“We wish you sincerely strength during this dark time.
“The Valais authorities confirmed today that every family that called the helpline because they are missing a child or family member has personal assistance.
“Policemen are personally dedicated to support and help these families and also psychological care is personally dedicated to these families.
“It is important and comforting to see how the neighbouring countries stand together in this moment of tragedy.
“The Federal Council is aware that the question of responsibility is paramount and I cannot comment on that at the moment in this investigations are going on.
“However the federal council has complete confidence in the law enforcement authorities.”
The couple bought the venue in 2015 transformed it from a rundown café into a glitzy party hotspot for the après-ski crowd at Crans-Montana.
A former firefighter earlier claimed that the acoustic insulation foam on the basement ceiling was “essentially the same” as the type that was used on Grenfell.
Dramatic footage from the evening shows a champagne sparkler appear to set the bar’s roof ablaze.
Bottle service waitresses, donning bizarre neon motorcycle helmets, can be seen carrying sparkling candles in glass bottles to tables of revellers, in advertising material released by Le Constellation.
The fire took hold as more than 200 revellers celebrated the start of 2026Credit: Supplied
The painful task of identifying bodies could take days, officials saidCredit: Reuters
