Jacques Moretti, the owner of a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana where a New Year’s Day fire killed 40 people, has been taken into custody as authorities continue their criminal investigation into the tragedy.
Moretti, 49, was detained on Friday, Jan. 9, after being questioned by investigators about the fire that broke out shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, inside Le Constellation bar. Authorities said the fire began when decorative foam lining the ceiling allegedly ignited after coming into contact with lit candles inside the venue.
Prosecutors said Moretti was taken into custody over concerns that he could attempt to flee as the investigation advances. His wife and business partner, Jessica Moretti, was also questioned but was released following the hearing.
“My thoughts are constantly with the victims,” Jessica Moretti said after her release. “It is an unimaginable tragedy. It happened in our establishment, and I want to apologize.”
Both Jacques and Jessica Moretti are facing multiple criminal charges, including manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Authorities confirmed that several families of victims have already filed legal complaints related to the fire.
Investigators previously disclosed that required fire safety inspections had not been conducted at the bar for several years. Local officials acknowledged that periodic safety checks were missed between 2020 and 2025.
“We regret this deeply,” a municipal official said earlier this month. “We owe accountability to the families affected.”
The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. local time, killing 40 people and injuring at least 116 others. Many of those who died were teenagers who had been celebrating the holiday inside the bar.
In a statement issued days after the blaze, the Morettis pledged to cooperate fully with investigators.
“We will under no circumstances attempt to evade these matters,” the statement said.
In the aftermath of the fire, mourners gathered outside the burned building to leave flowers and candles. Vigils and memorials have continued across Switzerland, including a large march held days later to honor the victims.
“This should have been a moment of celebration,” a regional official said following the disaster. “Instead, it became a nightmare felt across the country and beyond.”