The bar owner involved in the tragic Swiss New Year fire incident where 40 individuals lost their lives and 116 were injured has recounted his harrowing efforts to save a waitress who succumbed to the blaze. Jacques Moretti, deeply impacted by the event, rushed to the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana after receiving a distressing call from his wife, Jessica, alerting him of the fire outbreak in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Both Jacques and Jessica, now facing charges related to the incident, provided detailed testimonies to investigators before Jacques was taken into custody.
According to BFM TV, Jacques Moretti, 49, expressed his anguish to investigators, highlighting his futile attempts to revive a waitress named Cyane P, whom he regarded as a cherished member of their close-knit circle. Cyane P, a 24-year-old employee at the bar, tragically lost her life in the fire. Jessica, 40, echoed sentiments of devastation, emphasizing Cyane’s significance in their lives and expressing uncertainty about coping with the loss.
The sequence of events leading to the fire’s outbreak revealed that the tragedy unfolded post-midnight, following a New Year celebration at the bar. Prosecutors suspect the fire originated in the bar’s basement due to champagne bottles with attached party sparklers igniting flammable sound insulation foam on the ceiling, leading to a catastrophic chain reaction known as “flashover.”
The investigation now centers on evaluating safety protocols at the bar, which the Morettis had acquired in 2015 and extensively renovated. Although the premises underwent renovations, questions arise concerning the adequacy of safety measures, including the absence of an automatic sprinkler system and specific fire safety training for staff. Despite efforts to enforce age restrictions and ensure safety, oversights may have contributed to the tragic outcome.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Morettis face intense scrutiny, with public sentiments oscillating between accountability and empathy for their profound loss. The impact of the incident transcends personal tragedy, underscoring the need for stringent safety standards in public establishments to prevent such calamities in the future.