The proprietor of a bar in Switzerland where a fatal fire broke out on New Year’s Eve has been apprehended and identified as a potential flight risk by authorities.
Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica are now part of a criminal investigation for manslaughter following a tragic incident at a luxury ski resort in Crans-Montana. The fire, which occurred as revelers were ushering in the new year in 2026, was reportedly triggered by sparklers placed in champagne bottles.
Regrettably, around 40 individuals lost their lives in the blaze at the bar, with 119 others sustaining severe burns. The Morettis are facing charges for manslaughter due to negligence, as well as allegations of bodily harm and arson resulting from negligence.
The bar’s manager, alleged to have a criminal record, had prior convictions for offenses like pimping in Annecy, France, and was involved in the ‘Hot Rabbit’ sex worker case in southeastern France. Legal representatives for fire victims described Mr. Moretti as a questionable figure with suspicious practices.
Reports indicate that Mr. Moretti was convicted for involvement in recruiting French women as sex workers for a massage parlor in Geneva. He had a history of legal troubles, including previous convictions for offenses like pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment.
Despite denying the charges, Moretti had faced legal consequences in the past, including a sentence for social security fraud in 2010. The couple relocated to Switzerland from Corsica due to Mr. Moretti’s troubled legal background, where they established a bar in Crans-Montana in 2015.
The ongoing investigation into the fire revealed that it likely started in the bar’s basement due to champagne bottles with sparklers coming into contact with sound insulation foam on the ceiling. The authorities, along with the owners, are under scrutiny for potential negligence in fire safety practices.
Jessica, from a family background of firefighters, expressed deep regret over the tragedy and denied any wrongdoing. The couple, residing in Corsica, have been cooperating with authorities and legal proceedings to ascertain the cause of the devastating fire. The investigation is still in progress.
