In a tragic development, the owners of a Swiss bar are facing potential prison sentences after a devastating New Year’s fire claimed the lives of 40 individuals. The couple has pointed the finger at their young staff, accusing them of sparking the blaze and obstructing an emergency exit.
Jacques Moretti, aged 49, and his wife, Jessica Moretti, 40, are currently under judicial scrutiny following the January 1st tragedy at Le Constellation, a popular venue in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana.
Leaked documents from ongoing investigations reveal that the French couple has consistently shifted blame away from themselves, with reports citing statements like, “It’s not us, it’s the others,” according to the French newspaper, Le Parisien.
During approximately 20 hours of intense questioning by three prosecutors, the Morettis have focused their defense on waitress Cyane Panine, 24. They allege that she climbed onto a colleague’s shoulders, holding champagne bottles with lit sparklers, which they claim led to the deadly incident.
Cyane, who tragically perished in the fire, had been wearing a promotional helmet and did not notice the sparklers igniting the highly combustible foam ceiling in the bar’s basement.
In his testimony about the incident, Jacques Moretti described the sparkler display as “Cyane’s show,” distancing himself from responsibility for the tragic consequences.
‘I didn’t forbid her from doing that,’ he told prosecutors, adding: ‘I didn’t make her pay attention to safety instructions. We didn’t see the danger. Cyane liked doing that – it was a show, she liked to be part of the show.’
Jessica Moretti, who was at the same hearing on January 20th, said: ‘Cyane liked to deliver these bottles – she did it of her own accord.
The Moretti’s defence strategy during some 20 hours of interrogation by three prosecutors was – in particular – to blame waitress Cyane Panine (pictured) for the fire
Cyane, 24, was filmed wearing the crash helmet from Dom Perignon, the Champagne brand, as she was lifted onto the shoulders of Mateo Lesguer, 23, the in-house DJ
The French owners of Le Constellation – Jacques and Jessica Moretti (both pictured) – face charges of manslaughter, bodily harm and arson, all by negligence
‘If I had thought there was the slightest risk, I would have forbidden it. In ten years of running the business, I never thought there could be any danger.’
The family of Cyane, also a French national, are among those who have vehemently denied the Moretti’s claims, and they are supported by witnesses who survived the blaze.
They say it was Jessica Moretti, the manager on the night, who sent Cyane out with the bottles, and encouraged her to perform the stunt using a helmet provided by Dom Perignon, the champagne house.
Regarding fire safety, Jacques Moretti told the enquiry: ‘There was no training, but employees were told what steps to take in case of fire when they were shown around the premises.
‘Evacuate the customers, raise the alarm, and call the fire department,’ he said, adding: ‘And of course, if they had time, use the fire extinguishers to put out the fire.’
When told that one employee, referred to only as L, had told the enquiry that he had no idea where the extinguishers were kept, Jacques Moretti replied: ‘The staff has several shifts, and maybe I forgot to give this information to L, but it was going to be passed on at some point. Maybe I forgot.’
Both Morettis also blamed an unidentified staff member for locking an escape door in the basement.
Cyane Panine was among those who were found dying from smoke inhalation behind the door, after it was finally forced open.
A dramatic video captured the moment the ceiling of a Swiss ski bar caught fire
Footage shows an individual desperately trying to extinguish the fire, but within seconds it takes hold, erupting into a deadly fireball that engulfed the packed bar
‘The door was always open,’ Jessica Moretti told the enquiry. ‘There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wonder why that door was closed that night. We always said that the door was always open, and it was taken for granted.’
In turn, Jacques Moretti said: ‘After the tragedy, we learned that an employee delivered ice cubes to the Constellation and, without understanding why, closed the latch at the top of the door.’
Jacques Moretti said he later sent a text message to this employee, saying: ‘You shouldn’t run away, you should stay here and take responsibility.’
When contacted by Le Parisien, the staff member concerned vehemently denied all wrongdoing, saying: ‘I didn’t close a door that was already locked.’
Regarding the inflammable foam – which was installed at Le Constellation during renovations in 2015 – Jacques Moretti said: ‘The fire chief and the fire captain approved it.’
Video is said to exist showing Jessica Moretti escaping from the New Year fire with the cash register under her arm, while ignoring victims.
She told the enquiry: ‘I accept what’s being said about us, even if it’s false. It’s nothing compared to what the families are going through. We worked hard and tirelessly. We always did what was asked of us.’
When questioned about the extremely young age of those admitted to the bar on New Year’s Eve – one boy who died was just 14 – Jessica Moretti said: ‘We’re not infallible. I’ve thought about it a lot. Maybe there were fake IDs.
High quality photographs show the very first moments of the Swiss Constellation Bar fire in Crans-Montana
Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Thursday, January 1, 2026
‘Perhaps some slipped through the security guard’s net. Perhaps some entered during the fire when the security guard was occupied elsewhere.’
The Morettis highlighted how much they had suffered, with Jacques Moretti telling prosecutors: ‘We are also victims, but not to the same degree. Losing a child is the worst thing that can happen, and I wanted to say that.’
Jacques Moretti, an ex-pimp who has spent time in prison in France, was released from his remand cell at the weekend, and is currently being supervised by police, along with his wife.
Both face trial for ‘manslaughter by negligence, causing injury by negligence, and causing arson by negligence’ in relation to the 40 deaths, and the severe burning of 116 others.
The Morettis, who are originally from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, deny any criminal or civil wrongdoing in relation to the fire.
Both are considered a flight risk by the Swiss authorities, but have been allowed to stay at home to look after their two children.
They have to wear electronic tags, have had their passports confiscated, and have to report to a police station every three days.
The investigation into the fire continues.
