Owner of Swiss Bar Where New Year’s Day Blaze Killed 40 Is Taken into Custody as Possible Flight Risk

Jacques Moretti, the owner of Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana — where 40 people died in a fire on New Year’s Day — has reportedly been arrested.

Swiss newspaper ‍24 Heures, Sky News and France 24 reported on Friday, Jan. 9, that Moretti, 49, was taken into custody after being questioned by police about the Jan. 1, 2026, blaze. Investigators allege the fire began when the bar’s foam ceiling caught fire, potentially ignited by candles burning inside the building.

Citing information from the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office, 24 Heures reported that officials detained Moretti over concerns he could be a flight risk.

The arrest followed a lengthy hearing held Friday regarding the deadly incident, according to 24 Heures. Moretti was taken into custody, while his wife and bar co-owner, Jessica Moretti, was released.

“My thoughts are constantly with the victims,” Jessica reportedly told members of the media after the hearing, per 24 Heures. “It’s an unimaginable tragedy; it happened in our institution, and I want to apologize.”

Both Jacques and Jessica are facing charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence, according to CBS News. Sky News reported that multiple families have already filed legal complaints against the bar owners.

Authorities have also raised concerns about safety oversight at the venue. Officials said fire safety inspections had not been conducted for several years at the bar. Nicolas Féraud, the head of Crans-Montana’s municipal government, said at a news conference earlier this month that “periodic checks were not carried out between 2020 and 2025” at the bar.

“We regret this bitterly,” Féraud told reporters. “We owe it to the families, and we will accept responsibility.”

The blaze began around 1:30 a.m. local time, per CBS, killing 40 people and injuring 116 others. Most of those who died were teenagers, according to the outlet.

The Morettis previously released a statement pledging their “full cooperation” with investigators, according to CBS. “We will under no circumstances attempt to evade these matters,” the couple said.

In the days after the fire, memorials of flowers and candles appeared outside the charred building as residents and visitors mourned the victims. Vigils and tributes have continued across the country, including a march held Jan. 4, when hundreds gathered to honor those who died.

“This evening should have been a moment of celebration,” State Councillor Mathias Reynard said the day of the fire, “but it turned into a nightmare felt across the country and beyond.”