The grieving parents of a young waitress, who was captured on camera holding sparklers while wearing a helmet shortly before the tragic incident at a Swiss bar, have expressed their frustration towards individuals blaming their daughter for the fire.
Known as ‘the girl in the helmet,’ Cyane Panine, a 24-year-old French citizen, was one of the victims in the fatal blaze that claimed the lives of 40 people on New Year’s Day, leaving another 100 individuals injured, many of whom are still hospitalized with severe burns.
According to investigators, the pyrotechnics set off the highly flammable soundproofing foam on the bar’s low ceiling, causing a rapid inferno that engulfed the establishment in less than 45 seconds.
Characterizing Cyane as “spontaneous, radiant, and compassionate,” her mother, aged 64, lamented that her daughter “believed in people without any doubt,” paying the ultimate price with her life.
Meanwhile, her father, a 59-year-old water conservation expert, expressed his discontent with the public perception of his daughter solely as ‘the girl with the helmet’ holding sparklers.
In a video, Ms. Panine was seen carried on a colleague’s shoulders through the packed bar, holding sparklers in each hand, as witnesses recounted scenes of chaos and panic as the fire rapidly spread, trapping patrons inside.
The bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are currently facing criminal charges of negligence leading to death. Allegations include the locking of emergency exits and the installation of flammable foam by Mr. Moretti without proper safety inspections. Local authorities noted that the bar had not undergone a fire safety check since 2019.
Following the tragedy, the Morettis described Cyane as almost a family member, but her parents criticized their statements as attempts to distance themselves from liability by making inaccurate claims. The couple denied awareness of the risks associated with the foam or of encouraging staff to use sparklers.
Jacques Moretti, released on bail for 200,000 francs (£190,000) after initial detention due to a previous criminal record, and Jessica Moretti, restricted from leaving Switzerland during the ongoing investigation, have pledged to cooperate with authorities, as stated by their legal representative.
