Deadly Nightclub Fire in Crans‑Montana: Sparkler Ignites Flammable Foam, 40 Killed as Inquiries Expand

Behind the white tarpaulin that now shields the gutted basement of Le Constellation, rescuers found the lifeless body of 24‑year‑old waitress Cyane Panine slumped near a locked emergency door.

Witnesses and investigators say a lit champagne sparkler brushed against low‑hanging, flammable soundproofing foam during New Year’s Eve celebrations, triggering a flash fire that swept through the small underground club. Panine made it only as far as the locked exit before the blaze overtook the venue.

The bar’s owner, Jacques Moretti, 49, forced open the door and attempted resuscitation as emergency workers entered the smoke‑filled room. The blaze killed 40 people, many of them teenagers, and injured more than 100; dozens remain hospitalized with severe burns, and some are in critical condition or in artificial coma.

Investigation and Accountability

Local prosecutors have opened inquiries into alleged manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence against Jacques Moretti; his wife, Jessica Moretti‑Maric, 40, is also involved in the investigation. The probe has since widened to examine municipal oversight and enforcement in Crans‑Montana.

Alleged Safety Failures

Files seen by reporters and statements from lawyers representing victims point to a series of systemic problems rather than a single isolated mistake: unprotected, flammable foam on the ceiling, too few fire extinguishers, emergency exits that were reported as locked, and a local authority that had not carried out mandatory safety inspections since 2019 despite annual requirements.

“If everything had been properly respected, we would not have 40 deaths at the end,”

— Stéphane Ganzer, head of security in the canton of Valais.

Town president Nicolas Féraud has acknowledged inspections did not take place for five years, a lapse that has intensified calls for an independent or federal review of the investigation.

Claims From Families and Staff

Family lawyer Sophie Haenni urged the public to view Ms Panine as a victim, not the cause of the disaster: “She simply followed the instructions she was given. She was never informed of the danger posed by the ceiling and received no safety training.” Social media footage shows Panine lifted onto a colleague’s shoulders and waving a sparkler moments before the ceiling ignited.

Former colleagues and local business owners say they had previously warned of poor materials and unsafe practices. Jean‑Daniel Clivaz, president of the local tourist office, said he warned Mr Moretti about low‑quality foam but was assured necessary precautions were in place.

Background On The Owners And Local Response

The Morettis moved to Crans‑Montana in 2015 and expanded from a modest café‑bar into several venues in the area. French court records show Jacques Moretti was previously convicted in 2008 in a case related to recruitment for a Geneva massage parlour and later faced sentences for incitement to prostitution and social security fraud in Corsica. There is no verified evidence linking him to organised crime.

Mr Moretti has been remanded in custody amid concerns he might flee; his wife remains under judicial control and must report regularly to police. Local prosecutors set bail at 200,000 Swiss francs for each of them, and reports indicate an unnamed friend has offered to post the sum for Mr Moretti.

Community Impact And Calls For Change

The resort of Crans‑Montana — known for discretion, luxury and celebrity visitors — is now the scene of public grief and anger. Mourners have left candles, flowers and toys outside the charred club. Residents and bereaved families are demanding transparency, a full accounting of safety enforcement, and consideration of federal oversight to ensure an impartial inquiry.

Locals describe scenes of sudden, horrific injury: people with severe burns, some with melting skin, and volunteers who rushed victims to nearby cafés for emergency care until professional teams arrived. The human toll — including eight victims under 16 — has focused debate on prevention, training and accountability in elite tourist destinations.

As the community mourns, prosecutors continue to piece together how the venue operated, why statutory checks lapsed, and whether a cascade of failures made escape impossible for so many. The tragedy has prompted a broader conversation about how responsibility is enforced where wealth, politics and social ties intersect.

What Happens Next: Investigations will continue into the owners, venue safety and the role of local authorities. Victims’ families and local leaders are calling for transparent, possibly federal, oversight of the inquiry as survivors recover and communities demand answers.