2 weeks ago
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THE Swiss bar owners facing prison over a New Year’s Eve inferno that killed 40 people have blamed a young waitress for starting the blaze and blocking an escape route, a leaked police interview reveals.
Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica Moretti, 40, are under judicial supervision after the deadly fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana during January 1 celebrations.
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According to leaked interrogation records seen by Le Parisien, the French nationals repeatedly told prosecutors: “It’s not us, it’s the others.”
During around 20 hours of questioning by three prosecutors, the couple allegedly pinned responsibility on waitress Cyane Panine, 24, who died in the blaze.
They claimed Cyane climbed onto a colleague’s shoulders while brandishing two champagne bottles fitted with lit sparklers — a stunt filmed on the night.
She was wearing a promotional crash helmet and, according to investigators, did not see sparks igniting the basement ceiling, which was lined with highly inflammable foam.
Read more on the horror blaze
Referring to the stunt, Jacques Moretti told the enquiry it was “Cyane’s show”.
“I didn’t forbid her from doing that,” he said.
“I didn’t make her pay attention to safety instructions. We didn’t see the danger. Cyane liked doing that – it was a show, she liked to be part of the show.”
Jessica Moretti echoed the claim at a January 20 hearing.
“Cyane liked to deliver these bottles – she did it of her own accord,” she said.
“If I had thought there was the slightest risk, I would have forbidden it. In ten years of running the business, I never thought there could be any danger.”
The waitress’s family and surviving witnesses have vehemently denied the accusations.
They reportedly say Jessica Moretti, the manager on the night, sent Cyane out with the bottles and encouraged the stunt using a helmet supplied by Dom Pérignon.
Cyane’s parents Jerome and Astrid Panine also previously revealed their daughter was never meant to be working at the venue where she died.
An official report states the helmet’s black visor covered Cyane’s face completely, meaning she could not see the sparklers “touching the ceiling”.
On fire safety, Jacques Moretti admitted: “There was no training, but employees were told what steps to take in case of fire when they were shown around the premises.
“Evacuate the customers, raise the alarm, and call the fire department. And of course, if they had time, use the fire extinguishers to put out the fire.”
When told one worker had no idea where extinguishers were kept, he replied: “The staff has several shifts, and maybe I forgot to give this information… Maybe I forgot.”
The couple also blamed an unnamed staff member for allegedly locking a basement emergency exit.
Cyane was among those found dying from smoke inhalation behind the door after it was eventually forced open.
“The door was always open,” Jessica Moretti insisted.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wonder why that door was closed that night.”
Jacques Moretti added: “After the tragedy, we learned that an employee delivered ice cubes to the Constellation and, without understanding why, closed the latch at the top of the door.”
He said he later texted the worker: “You shouldn’t run away, you should stay here and take responsibility.”
The employee has denied any wrongdoing, saying: “I didn’t close a door that was already locked.”
Moretti also claimed the flammable foam installed during 2015 renovations had been approved by fire officials and acoustic experts.
Footage is said to show Jessica Moretti fleeing the burning venue with the cash register under her arm while victims lay inside.
Cyane liked to deliver these bottles – she did it of her own accord
Jessica Moretti, Le Constellation bar owner
She told investigators: “I accept what’s being said about us, even if it’s false. It’s nothing compared to what the families are going through.”
Questioned about underage victims, including a 14-year-old boy, Jessica Moretti said: “We’re not infallible… Maybe there were fake IDs. Perhaps some slipped through the security guard’s net.”
The couple also stressed their own suffering, with Jacques Moretti telling prosecutors: “We are also victims, but not to the same degree. Losing a child is the worst thing that can happen.”
Both face trial for manslaughter by negligence, causing injury by negligence, and causing arson by negligence over the 40 deaths and the severe burning of more than 100 others.
They deny all criminal and civil wrongdoing.
Swiss authorities consider the Morettis a flight risk.
They have been allowed to remain at home with their two children under strict conditions, including electronic tags, confiscated passports, and mandatory police check-ins every three days.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing.
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