Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Swiss bar owner faces prosecutors after deadly New Year’s fire
A bar in Switzerland caught fire on New Year’s Day, and 40 people, mostly teenagers, died.
The owner, Jacques Moretti, and his wife, Jessica, are being questioned by prosecutors.
Jacques is in police custody, while Jessica is free.
They both said they are sorry and will help with the investigation.
Jacques said a door was locked during the fire, but his lawyer says it wasn’t an emergency exit.
The local authorities are also being checked because they missed some safety checks.
The mayor’s office decided not to be part of the case to respect the victims.
Jacques Moretti, owner of 'Le Constellation' bar, appeared before prosecutors for a second hearing regarding the New Year’s Day fire that killed 40 people.
Moretti and his wife, Jessica, are suspected of negligent homicide and have expressed grief over the incident.
Moretti claimed a service door was locked during the fire, but his lawyer denied it was a locked emergency exit.
Local authorities in Crans-Montana are under scrutiny for missing safety checks.
The mayor’s office withdrew from the case out of respect for the victims.
- Who
- Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the bar 'Le Constellation'
- What
- A fire at the bar that killed 40 people, mostly teenagers
- When
- New Year’s Day, with hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday
- Where
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Why
- To examine their version of events and determine negligence
- Owner
- Jacques Moretti
- Location
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Date of Incident
- New Year’s Day
- Casualties
- 40 people killed, mostly teenagers
- Charges
- Negligent homicide
- Current Status
- Jacques Moretti in police custody, wife free
- Next Hearing
- Jacques Moretti on Tuesday, wife on Wednesday