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Crans-Montana Bar Owner Held as He Admits Emergency Exit Was Locked During Deadly Fire

Detention follows a six-hour interrogation prompted by concerns over flight risk.

Overview

  • Jacques Moretti was ordered into pre-trial detention and Jessica Moretti was placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring on charges of negligent arson, negligent homicide and negligent injury.
  • Prosecutors cited a concrete risk of flight, noting France does not extradite its citizens; the coercive measures court must now review the restrictions.
  • Swiss media report that Moretti told investigators the basement emergency door was locked during the blaze and that he opened it from outside, a detail that could lead prosecutors to consider eventual intent and far harsher penalties.
  • Moretti also said he replaced the ceiling’s acoustic foam himself with store-bought material, while videos indicate sparkler-style devices ignited non‑fireproof panels in an overcrowded space lacking adequate fire protections.
  • Investigators are examining deleted social-media material and municipal lapses after officials acknowledged no inspections since 2020, as Italian prosecutors pursue parallel inquiries and request autopsies for victims.