Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Swiss court detains bar owner after deadly fire
A big fire happened at a bar in a fancy ski town in Switzerland called Crans-Montana.
The fire happened on New Year's Day and sadly, 40 people died and 116 were injured.
The co-owner of the bar, a man named Jacques Moretti, was kept in jail by a court.
The prosecutors decided to keep him there while they figure out if he should stay in jail or not.
This happened after a long meeting with him and his wife.
The court's decision came out on January 12.
A lawyer named Romain Jordan, who represents some of the victims, wants the investigation to include local authorities and is seeking millions in compensation for the victims and their families.
A fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 40 people and injured 116 on New Year's Day.
Jacques Moretti, the co-owner of the bar, was detained by prosecutors pending a decision on whether detention is warranted.
The detention was ordered on January 12 after a lengthy hearing with Moretti and his wife.
A lawyer representing some of the victims, Romain Jordan, is seeking to expand the criminal probe to include local authorities and is claiming damages of up to several million francs per injury and up to 100,000 francs per death.
Prosecutors believe the fire was caused by sparkling candles setting the soundproof foam on the basement ceiling alight, with a narrow staircase becoming a fatal choke point.
- Who
- Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the bar in Crans-Montana, and victims represented by Romain Jordan
- What
- A fire that killed 40 people and injured 116, with subsequent legal actions
- When
- New Year's Day, with the detention order on January 12
- Where
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Why
- Pending a decision on whether detention is warranted and to seek answers and compensation
- Location
- Crans-Montana, Switzerland
- Date of Incident
- New Year's Day
- Number of Victims
- 40
- Number of Injured
- 116
- Detained Individual
- Jacques Moretti
- Role of Detained Individual
- Co-owner of the bar
- Prosecutor's Action
- Ordered detention pending decision on warrant
- Date of Detention Order
- January 12
- Cause of Fire
- Sparkling candles setting soundproof foam alight
- Legal Representative
- Romain Jordan
- Compensation Claim
- Up to several million francs per injury and up to 100,000 francs per death
