Owner of Swiss Bar in New Year’s Eve Fire Admits Service Door Was Locked from the Inside

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be about celebration, fresh beginnings, and shared joy. But in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, the final night of the year ended in heartbreak and loss. A fire that broke out inside a packed bar turned a festive countdown into one of the deadliest nightlife tragedies in Switzerland’s recent history.

Now, weeks after the devastating blaze, a chilling admission by the bar’s owner has intensified public outrage and legal scrutiny: a service door that could have served as an escape route was locked from the inside.

A Celebration That Turned Into Chaos

The fire erupted late on New Year’s Eve inside Le Constellation, a popular underground bar frequented by locals and tourists alike. Dozens of partygoers had gathered to ring in the new year when flames and thick smoke suddenly filled the space.

Within moments, panic spread.

Witnesses later described people rushing toward exits, struggling to see through smoke, and desperately trying to escape as the fire intensified. In the end, 40 people lost their lives, and more than 100 were injured, many suffering severe burns or smoke inhalation.

For a small alpine town known for skiing and nightlife, the tragedy left an unimaginable scar.

The Locked Door Revelation

As investigators combed through the wreckage, one discovery stood out as especially disturbing.

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of Le Constellation, admitted to prosecutors that a service door located in the basement was locked from the inside during the fire. This door, though not the main entrance, could have provided a critical escape route for those trapped below.

According to Moretti, he only realized the door was locked after the fire had been extinguished. He reportedly forced it open himself—only to find several victims who had sought refuge there but were unable to escape.

This single detail has become central to the investigation, raising painful questions about whether lives could have been saved.

Why That Door Matters

In fires, seconds matter. Smoke spreads faster than flames, and blocked exits can quickly turn survivable situations into fatal ones.

Emergency exits are legally required to be accessible at all times, especially in venues hosting large crowds. A locked service door—regardless of intent—represents a critical failure in basic safety standards.

Prosecutors are now investigating whether the door was routinely locked, who had access to it, and whether staff or owners were aware of the risk. If authorities determine that the owners knowingly allowed emergency exits to remain unusable, the legal consequences could be severe.

Serious Legal Consequences Loom

Jacques Moretti and his wife, Jessica Moretti, are currently facing potential charges including:

Involuntary manslaughter

Negligent bodily harm

Negligent arson

Swiss prosecutors have indicated that if intent or gross negligence can be proven, charges could escalate further. In Switzerland, this could result in long-term prison sentences.

Moretti has reportedly been taken into custody as a precautionary measure while the investigation continues.

More Safety Failures Under the Microscope

The locked service door is not the only issue under scrutiny.

Investigators believe the fire may have been sparked by sparklers attached to champagne bottles, which ignited flammable acoustic foam installed on the ceiling. That foam, allegedly purchased from a DIY store and installed during renovations, may not have met fire safety standards.

There are also concerns about:

Lack of recent safety inspections

Inadequate fire suppression systems

Poor emergency signage and lighting

Overcrowding on the night of the event

Taken together, these failures paint a troubling picture of systemic negligence rather than a single tragic mistake.

Public Anger and Mourning

Across Switzerland—and beyond—grief has turned into anger.

Memorials filled with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes line the streets of Crans-Montana. Many victims were young, some visiting from neighboring countries to celebrate the holidays.

Families and survivors are now demanding accountability—not only from the bar’s owners but also from authorities responsible for enforcing safety regulations. Questions are being asked about why the venue had not been properly inspected and how such glaring safety lapses went unnoticed.

A Tragedy That May Change the Law

Swiss officials have acknowledged the public’s outrage and promised stricter enforcement of fire safety rules, particularly for nightlife venues and entertainment spaces.

While no reform can undo the loss suffered by families, many hope this tragedy will lead to meaningful changes—ensuring that emergency exits remain open, materials are properly regulated, and safety is never treated as optional.

Final Thoughts

The admission that a service door was locked from the inside has become a haunting symbol of this disaster—a reminder that small decisions can have devastating consequences.

As legal proceedings continue, the victims of the New Year’s Eve fire remain at the center of a national reckoning over safety, responsibility, and preventable loss. What happened at Le Constellation should never happen again—and Switzerland, like the rest of the world, is now watching to see what justice will look like.