Jacques Moretti, owner of Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, told investigators he found a service door locked from the inside and discovered multiple bodies after the New Year’s Eve fire that killed 40 people. Moretti was arrested on Jan. 9 and charged with negligent manslaughter, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence. Early findings suggest sparklers may have ignited ceiling soundproofing foam, and local officials say routine safety inspections were not carried out from 2020 to 2025. Investigations into the exact cause and timeline are ongoing.
Swiss Nightclub Owner Says Locked Service Door Contained Bodies After New Year’s Blaze That Killed 40
Valais Cantonal Police via GettyLe Constellation bar in Crans-Montana after the New Year's Eve fire.
The owner of Le Constellation, the Crans-Montana nightclub where a New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured more than 100, has told investigators he discovered a service door that had been locked from the inside and that multiple lifeless bodies were found behind it, according to multiple reports.
What the Owner Reported
Authorities say Jacques Moretti was arrested on Jan. 9. He has been charged with negligent manslaughter, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence; his wife, Jessica Moretti, was briefly detained and later released. Prosecutors say Jacques told the Valais public prosecutor’s office that he only became aware of the locked basement service door after the blaze and that, upon opening it himself, he found several bodies, Swiss broadcaster RTS and Euro News reported.
MAXIME SCHMID / AFP/GettyLe Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana.
Suspected Cause and Safety Concerns
Investigators have not announced a definitive cause, but early findings suggest that sparklers used inside the venue may have ignited soundproofing foam on the ceiling, according to The Guardian. Jacques Moretti has reportedly told investigators he performed his own tests with the sparklers and believed they were not powerful enough to ignite the foam.
Separate coverage by People and local outlets says periodic fire-safety inspections at Le Constellation were not carried out between 2020 and 2025. Crans-Montana municipal leader Nicolas Féraud told reporters the town regrets this lapse and said officials will accept responsibility to the victims and families.
MAXIME SCHMID / AFP via GettyLe Constellation in Crans-Montana.
Voices From the Scene
After a hearing on Jan. 9, Jessica Moretti expressed remorse and apologized to victims’ families. “My thoughts are constantly with the victims,” she told reporters. “It’s an unimaginable tragedy; it happened in our institution, and I want to apologize.”
“There’s the small door where everyone was pushing, and so we all fell, we were piled on top of each other, some people were burning, and some were dead next to us,” survivor 17-year-old Laetitia Place told Reuters. “I was so scared — scared for myself, scared for my friends, scared for everyone inside.”
Ongoing Investigation
Prosecutors and local police continue to examine safety records, witness statements and forensic evidence to establish a full timeline and determine the precise cause of the fire. Major outlets covering developments include The Guardian, CBS News, RTS, Euronews, Reuters, 24Heures and People.
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