Bar Owners in Swiss Alpine Fire Pay Bail, Investigation Continues
Crans-Montana, Switzerland – Both Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the co-owners of the Le Constellation bar destroyed by fire on New Year’s Eve, have now paid a bail of 200,000 Swiss francs (approximately $252,000 USD as of February 18, 2026) as part of the legal constraints imposed upon them, according to Swiss authorities.
The Valais public prosecutor’s office announced Wednesday that the court of compulsory measures had definitively set the amount of the bail, which “has been paid into the account of the public prosecutor’s office.” This follows the release of Jacques Moretti from pretrial detention on January 23rd, after initially being held since January 9th.
The Morettis are under investigation for “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence” related to the blaze that claimed 41 lives and injured over 100 people during New Year’s celebrations. The fire, which erupted shortly after midnight on January 1st, has prompted a thorough investigation into safety regulations and potential negligence.
Jacques Moretti was initially placed in pretrial detention but was released upon payment of the bail and remains subject to legal constraints, mirroring those imposed on his wife. Authorities previously stated the bail for Jacques Moretti was paid by “a close friend,” but provided no further details regarding the source of funds for Jessica Moretti’s bail payment.
Both Jacques and Jessica Moretti have been questioned on three occasions since the opening of the criminal investigation. Further hearings are scheduled, though dates remain unspecified. The investigation is focused on determining the exact circumstances of the fire, which investigators believe was triggered by sparks from “fountain” candles igniting soundproofing foam on the bar’s ceiling.
The inquiry is also examining whether the bar complied with safety standards and identifying any potential responsibilities. The local municipality has acknowledged that fire safety inspections had not been carried out at Le Constellation since 2019, despite being required annually.
The tragedy has sparked outrage and grief, with the death toll rising to 41 after an 18-year-old Swiss national succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire on February 1, 2026, while being treated in a Zurich hospital. The prosecutor’s office stated it would release no further information regarding the victim or the ongoing investigation.
The investigation will also assess the legality of using the candles within the bar. The fire safety inspections, or lack thereof, are a key component of the inquiry, raising questions about oversight and enforcement of safety regulations in the popular ski resort.
