Nightclub Manslaughter Charges After Sparkler Fire
- Here's a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity:
- * A fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 40 people.
- * Police are investigating potential criminal liability, including negligent arson, homicide, and bodily injury.
Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, organized for clarity:
The Incident:
* A fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 40 people.
* A Brit-educated teen is among the missing.
* Jessica Moretti, co-owner, suffered burns to her arm.
The Inquiry:
* Police are investigating potential criminal liability, including negligent arson, homicide, and bodily injury.
* Focus areas include:
* Previous renovations and materials used.
* Adequacy of fire extinguishing systems and escape routes.
* Patron numbers.
* width of the staircase.
* Initial findings strongly suggest champagne sparklers ignited the ceiling, causing a rapid and widespread blaze.
* The owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been questioned but not yet interviewed under caution (though this could change if they are considered flight risks).
The Owners (Jacques & Jessica Moretti):
* Both French nationals.
* Jacques renovated the bar six months prior to the fire.
* They own other businesses in the area: Senso (burger restaurant) and Le Vieux Chalet (inn).
* they fell in love with Crans-Montana in 2011.
* They have a child.
Possible Cause:
* Terrified witnesses believe the fire was sparked by champagne sparklers used as part of bottle service (waitresses carried sparkling candles in glass bottles to tables).
* Advertising material shows this practice.