The owner of the burned-out Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana recalled in an interview with the media on Friday that all safety standards were observed in his company. He emphasized that the authorities had carried out three inspections of the bar in the past ten years. TASR writes about it according to the AFP agency.
“Everything was done in accordance with the regulations,” said Jacques Moretti, who owns the bar with his wife Jessica. Both are from France. The topic of compliance with safety standards is key as Thursday’s devastating fire killed 40 people and injured 119, according to police figures on Friday.
According to the general prosecutor of the canton of Valais, Beatrice Pilloud, the fire was most likely caused by sparks in champagne bottles, which ignited the ceiling covered with noise insulation. “The investigation will determine whether or not this foam complies with standards,” said the prosecutor. Several witnesses claim that the ground floor could only be reached from the basement via a narrow staircase.
Pilloud announced on Friday that both bar owners were questioned as witnesses. They provided law enforcement with information available at the bar, details of recent renovations and the capacity of the business.
Moretti was not in the bar at the time of the fire, but in one of his other businesses. His wife was in the bar and escaped with minor injuries. He revealed to the media that both are desperate after the accident. “We cannot sleep or eat,” he said, adding that they were fully cooperating with the investigation. “We will do everything we can to help clarify the causes,” he added.
