The owner of a Swiss nightclub where 40 people were killed in a devastating New Year fire has told investigators he was forced to prise open a locked service door – only to discover bodies piled up behind it.
Jacques Moretti, the French co-owner of the Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday as prosecutors investigate one of Switzerland’s deadliest nightlife disasters.
Most of those who died were teenagers, while a further 116 people were injured in the blaze, which broke out during New Year celebrations in the basement of the venue.
Moretti told the Vallais public prosecutor’s office that he only became aware after the fire that a service door inside the bar had been locked from the inside.
According to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets and confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case, Moretti said that when he arrived at the scene he forced the door open.
He told investigators that he then found several people lying behind the door.
Initial findings suggest the fire was sparked when sparklers came into contact with soundproofing foam fitted to the ceiling of the bar’s basement.
Investigators are also examining whether fire extinguishers were present and accessible, and whether the venue’s exits complied with safety regulations.
Jessica with her husband yesterday. Before entering the hospitality business with her husband, Jessica worked for years as a fashion, underwear and swimwear model, while also acting in a series of short promotional videos in the early 2000s
Flowers in Crans-Montana left in tribute to the 40 people who died in the nightclub fireÂ
Moretti’s wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing, told investigators: ‘We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room.’
Jacques Moretti insisted he had previously carried out tests and claimed the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.
He told investigators that he bought the foam from a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations after purchasing the bar in 2015.
Questions have also been raised over the number of underage customers inside the venue at the time of the tragedy.
Moretti said the bar prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and required customers aged between 16 and 18 to be accompanied by an adult.
He said he had given these ‘instructions’ to security staff, but admitted that ‘it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol’.
The couple are suspected of ‘negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson’ as the investigation into the deadly blaze continues.
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana was taken into custody Friday, as prosecutors investigate the tragedy.
Most of the 40 people who died were teenagers, and another 116 people were injured.
Moretti told the Vallais public prosecutor’s office that he had found out about the locked door just after the deadly fire.
Mourners look at tributes to the victims of the Swiss nightclub fireÂ
The entrance of the ‘Le Constellation’ bar and lounge pictured after the deadly fireÂ
When he arrived at the scene, he forced open the door, according to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case.
Moretti said he had found several people lying behind the door after opening it.
Initial findings suggest that the fire was caused by sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement.
Questions are also being raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers, and whether the bar’s exits were in compliance with regulations.
‘We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room,’ said his wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing.
Jacques Moretti told investigators that he had carried out tests and the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.
Moretti said he bought the foam in a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations carried out after buying the establishment in 2015.
Regarding the presence of numerous underage kids in the bar at the time of the tragedy, Jacques Moretti said the establishment prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and that customers aged 16 to 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.
He said he had given these ‘instructions’ to the security staff, but acknowledged that ‘it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol’.
The couple is suspected of ‘negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson’.