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New details have emerged about the devastating fire at Le Constellation Bar in the Swiss ski resort Crans-Montana that claimed 40 lives on New Year’s Eve. The service door to the basement was locked from the inside.
The bar’s owner, Jacques Moretti, admitted this to investigators, Swiss broadcaster RTS reported.
Moretti said he discovered several bodies when he opened the door from the outside. Prosecutors are currently investigating new facts.
Moretti may be considering even more severe charges.
This detail is critical to the investigation. At the time of the fire, several bar patrons attempted to escape through this door, but were trapped behind the door and ultimately lost their lives.
Moretti said he didn’t know why the door was locked. If prosecutors conclude that Jack and Jessica Moretti were partly responsible for the door being locked, the charges against them could increase.
Possibility of accidental intentional homicide
The defendants are currently charged with manslaughter, arson, and manslaughter.
If prosecutors find that the owner knew the door was locked and accepted this risk, a judge could find that the murder was committed with accidental intent.
Jack and Jessica Moretti could face up to 20 years in prison in this case.
Another important detail of the study concerns the sound-damping foam used in the bar’s ceiling.
Jack Moretti said he removed the old sound-absorbing material and replaced it with new sound-absorbing material purchased from Hornbach DIY Store. Swiss media said bar staff were aware of the risks associated with the foam.
On New Year’s Eve 2019, a waiter allegedly warned customers that there was a risk of setting fire to the soundproofing material in the ceiling. Prosecutors are investigating the validity of this claim. If this turns out to be true, it could lead to further charges against Mr. Moretis.