In a tragic incident at a bar in Switzerland, 40 individuals lost their lives in a fire during a New Year’s celebration. The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, shared a heartbreaking account of the events leading up to the disaster. One of the victims, Cyane Panine, whom the Morettis considered like a family member, perished in the blaze. The fire broke out due to pyrotechnics igniting soundproofing foam in the bar’s basement, causing severe burns to 116 others in addition to the fatalities.
Jacques Moretti recounted the harrowing moment when he discovered Ms. Panine struggling for her life amidst a pile of bodies behind a locked door in the basement. The door, typically not locked, posed a challenge in rescuing the unconscious individuals trapped inside. Following the incident, Mr. Moretti is under custody, while Mrs. Moretti has been released on bail pending a potential trial on various charges, including manslaughter and negligence causing bodily harm.
The Morettis described Ms. Panine as a cherished individual in their lives, akin to a family member. Despite their efforts to rescue her and others, Ms. Panine succumbed to her injuries shortly after the fire. The couple’s establishment, Le Constellation, had undergone extensive renovations supervised by the Morettis, who mentioned that fire safety inspections had not raised any concerns in the past.
The tragic event has raised questions about safety measures and training at the bar, with Mr. Moretti admitting that staff, including Ms. Panine, were not specifically trained in fire safety protocols. The use of champagne sparklers, a common practice at the bar, was believed to have inadvertently triggered the fatal fire. The investigation into the incident is ongoing to determine the exact cause.
Despite denials of criminal wrongdoing by the Morettis, they face allegations of negligence leading to manslaughter and bodily harm. The community mourned the loss of Ms. Panine, whose funeral was held in her hometown in France. Her family believes that with proper access to emergency exits, lives could have been saved. As authorities continue to investigate the fire, the tragic consequences serve as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness in public venues.