A France 2 video appears to show flammable foam panels hanging loose at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana about two weeks before the New Year’s Eve fire that killed 40 people and injured over 100. Swiss prosecutors have charged co-owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti with negligent homicide, bodily harm and arson as investigators focus on foam insulation reportedly installed by Mr Moretti and possibly ignited by sparklers. Leaked interrogation notes show Mr Moretti blaming a deceased waitress; the case has also provoked a diplomatic row with Italy after his release on 200,000 CHF bail.
Video Shows Loose Ceiling Foam Weeks Before Deadly Swiss Bar Fire
A video appears to show an employee struggling to keep insulation foam in place using improvised tools, including billiard cues and paper towels
A video published by French public channel France 2 has emerged showing flammable foam panels hanging loose from the ceiling at Le Constellation, a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, roughly two weeks before the New Year’s Eve blaze that killed 40 people and injured more than 100.
The mid-December clip, credited to X user @le20hfrancetele, appears to show an employee trying to prop insulation foam back into place with improvised tools such as billiard cues and paper towels. In one segment, staff member Gaëtan Thomas-Gilbert, 28, is seen pushing sagging panels toward the ceiling before sending the footage to his boss, co-owner Jacques Moretti, who replies by voice message: "Yeah, that looks OK. Take the others off, please." Mr Thomas-Gilbert was severely burned in the fire and had earlier told his father he was concerned about safety at the venue.
An image of the ceiling catching fire after appearing to come into contact with sparkler candles placed on champagne bottles
Prosecutions and Investigation
Swiss prosecutors have charged the bar's co-owners, Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife, Jessica Moretti-Maric, 40, with negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. Investigators are focusing on the foam insulation, which prosecutors say Mr Moretti installed himself. Authorities believe the material may have ignited after coming into contact with sparkler candles placed on champagne bottles during New Year’s celebrations, rapidly spreading flames and toxic smoke through the crowded basement bar.
Bar co-owners Jacques Moretti and Jessica Moretti-Maric face criminal charges after the incident - Fabrice COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images
Leaked interrogation notes reported by Le Parisien quoted Mr Moretti as blaming deceased waitress Cyane Panine, 24, saying, "It was Cyane's show. I didn't forbid her from doing that. We didn't see the danger." Mr Moretti also told investigators he had tested the foam with a blowtorch: "I took a blowtorch to test the foam. It burned and I had to put the fire out, but the only thing that bothered me was the smoke — otherwise, nothing shocked me," according to a transcript broadcast on French television.
Mr Moretti's lawyer, Nicolas Meier, has said the owners acted in good faith. He told reporters the foam was purchased from a specialist supplier and was approved for use in a public venue, adding that it had been inspected multiple times, including in the presence of a fire service official, and no issues were found.
An image reportedly showing a chair wedged against the exit minutes before the blaze began
Safety Failures and Eyewitness Claims
France 2 also broadcast a still from CCTV that appears to show a chair wedged against an exit minutes before the blaze began. The Morettis have blamed an unidentified staff member for closing the door, a claim denied by employees. Multiple witnesses told investigators that a rear escape route was blocked on the night of the fire and raised concerns about an apparent shortage of fire extinguishers and inadequate safety training for staff.
The fire at the crowded bar killed 40 people and left more than 100 injured - Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Sophie Haenni, lawyer for the family of Cyane Panine, said the young waitress should be treated as a victim rather than a cause: "She simply followed the instructions she was given. She was never informed of the danger posed by the ceiling and received no safety training." Survivors have described scenes of panic as partygoers tried to flee the smoke-filled basement; some posted images of severe burns and injuries to social media.
Diplomatic Fallout
The case has also triggered diplomatic tensions with Italy after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised the decision to release Mr Moretti on 200,000 Swiss francs (about £188,000) bail. Six of those killed and at least ten of the injured were Italian. Ms Meloni said she had spoken to Swiss President Guy Parmelin to express her "outrage," calling the bail decision "a serious insult to the memory of the victims." Italy briefly recalled its ambassador to Bern for talks and has requested that Italian police be allowed to take part in the Swiss investigation.
Next Steps
Swiss investigators continue to examine how the fire started and spread, review safety inspections and interview witnesses and staff. Families of victims are demanding accountability as criminal proceedings move forward and authorities seek to establish responsibility for the fatal safety failures.
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