Swiss Alpine bar fire claims 41st victim, an 18-year-old Swiss national

"Investigators have said they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling at the packed Le Constellation bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, less than two hours after midnight on Jan. 1. Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Fire safety inspections hadn't been carried out since 2019."

"Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the owners French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence. The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern Valais region on Jan. 12 ordered three months of pretrial detention for Jacques Moretti, but on Jan. 23 ordered his release on bail."

An 18-year-old Swiss national died in a Zurich hospital from injuries sustained in the Le Constellation bar fire in Crans-Montana on Jan. 1, raising the death toll to 41. Investigators believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling in the packed bar. Authorities are examining whether ceiling soundproofing met regulations and whether candles were permitted for use. Fire safety inspections had not been carried out since 2019. Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence. Jacques Moretti was initially ordered detained pretrial and later released on bail.

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