Swiss bar Le Constellation had no fire alarm, mayor says

Officials said Le Constellation in Crans‑Montana had no fire alarm and had not been inspected for five years; owners are under criminal investigation and the municipality will commission external inspections.

Officials have reported that Le Constellation, a bar in the Swiss resort of Crans‑Montana, had no fire alarm and had not been inspected for five years. The venue has been the subject of attention after a New Year's Eve fire that resulted in many deaths and injuries. The mayor said the acoustic foam panels in the ceiling had never been fire tested. Local authorities expressed regret and described ongoing investigative work. Key details: - Mayor Nicolas Féraud said no inspections took place at the venue between 2020 and 2025 and that there was no fire alarm on the premises. - Officials reported that the acoustic soundproofing foam panels had never undergone fire testing. - The owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under criminal investigation and investigators say sparklers attached to Champagne bottles are believed to have come into contact with the foam and ignited the fire. - The municipality announced a ban on all types of indoor fireworks, including sparklers, and said it will commission a specialist external agency to inspect establishments. - Video from 2019, released by broadcasters, shows a barman warning patrons about the foam beneath the ceiling. Summary: Officials have reported that the venue lacked basic fire-safety measures and routine inspections were not carried out. A criminal probe of the owners is under way and the municipality plans external inspections of similar establishments and a ban on indoor fireworks. The legal and regulatory review is ongoing.