Newly emerged photographs from 2015 have thrust the owners of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana into the unrelenting glare of public and legal scrutiny. Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French couple from Corsica who ran the venue, personally handled much of the renovation work a decade ago—images now circulating widely show them wielding tools, applying acoustic foam to the basement ceiling, repositioning walls, and altering staircases. Those same modifications are now central to the manslaughter and negligent homicide charges they face following the catastrophic New Year’s Eve fire on January 1, 2026, that killed 40 people—mostly teenagers and young adults—and left more than 100 others severely injured.

The pictures, originally posted on a now-archived personal Facebook album, capture a moment of optimism: Jacques standing on a ladder pressing dark foam panels into place, Jessica smiling beside freshly laid flooring, the couple posing proudly in front of exposed beams soon to be concealed. At the time, the project appeared to be a passionate DIY effort to modernize a dated basement bar into a trendy nightlife spot for the affluent ski resort crowd. Today, those snapshots serve as damning exhibits in the eyes of investigators, prosecutors, and devastated families. The acoustic foam Jacques bought from a local hardware store and installed himself became the accelerant that turned a festive sparkler toast into an inferno within seconds.

Prosecutors in Valais canton are methodically dissecting every alteration documented in the photos and corroborated by witness statements, building permits (or lack thereof), and forensic analysis. Key elements under examination include:

Ceiling foam installation — The dark, porous acoustic panels, chosen for sound dampening in a lively bar environment, proved highly flammable. Sparks from sparklers affixed to champagne bottles made contact shortly after midnight, triggering a rapid flashover. Experts have stated that fire-retardant alternatives existed and were standard in similar venues, yet the Morettis opted for cheaper, non-rated material.
Staircase and exit modifications — Images suggest the main staircase was narrowed and railings added for aesthetic or space reasons. Survivors described the route becoming a deadly bottleneck as panicked partygoers pressed forward, many collapsing or trampling others before reaching fresh air. A secondary service door—visible in renovation shots—was allegedly locked or obstructed during the blaze, further trapping victims.
Absence of sprinklers and fire suppression — No automatic sprinkler system was installed during or after the 2015 work, despite the basement layout and high occupancy. Fire extinguishers were reportedly inadequate or poorly placed. Swiss regulations for entertainment venues require risk-appropriate safety measures, yet inspections over the years appear to have missed or overlooked critical deficiencies.
Structural and layout changes — Walls were moved to create more intimate seating areas and improve flow behind the bar. While these adjustments may have enhanced the party atmosphere, they potentially reduced clear escape paths and increased smoke accumulation in low-ceilinged zones.

Jacques Moretti, 49, has been held in provisional detention for three months on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm causing death, and negligent arson. Prosecutors cited flight risk and the gravity of the charges. Jessica Moretti, 40, was released under strict conditions including electronic monitoring and a ban on leaving the canton. In separate interviews, both expressed profound distress—Jessica stating she was “very unwell” and “devastated beyond words,” Jacques describing sleepless nights haunted by memories of finding his stepdaughter Cyane among the victims near a forced-open door. Yet their emotional statements have done little to quell the anger of families who lost children, siblings, and friends.

One mother whose 16-year-old daughter died in the smoke told Swiss broadcaster RTS: “They renovated it themselves. They posted photos smiling, proud of their work. And now our daughter is gone forever. We don’t want tears from them—we want answers. Why flammable foam? Why no sprinklers? Why locked exits?” Lawyers representing multiple bereaved families have filed civil claims and are pushing for full disclosure of renovation permits, invoices, and correspondence with local authorities.

The fire itself unfolded with terrifying speed. At approximately 1:26 a.m., during a packed New Year’s celebration, guests raised bottles topped with sparklers. Sparks drifted upward, contacted the ceiling foam, and ignited a chain reaction. Flames spread across the low ceiling in seconds, superheated gases ignited furnishings below, and dense black smoke dropped visibility to near zero while oxygen levels collapsed. Narrow staircases turned into choke points; people smashed windows with bar furniture in desperate attempts to breathe. Social media clips captured the final joyful moments before screams took over.

Forty lives ended that night—victims aged 14 to 39, many teenagers on holiday with friends or family. Identification processes stretched over days, relying on DNA, dental records, and anguished posts from relatives searching hospitals and morgues. The injured overwhelmed regional facilities; dozens required emergency airlifts to burn centers across Europe. Heroic acts emerged from the chaos: 19-year-old Gianni Campolo and his father Paolo repeatedly entered the smoke to drag people out; 18-year-old photographer Roze returned inside to save her friend Nouran, suffering third-degree burns to her face, scalp, and hands.

Crans-Montana, long celebrated for luxury skiing and golf, now carries the weight of collective mourning. Candlelit vigils lined the streets; multilingual church services reflected the international victims—Swiss, French, Italian, and others. National leaders, including President Viola Amherd, called for swift accountability and a nationwide review of fire safety in nightlife venues. The Swiss government has already signaled potential changes: mandatory sprinklers in basements, certified use of only flame-retardant materials, stricter bans on indoor pyrotechnics, and enhanced inspection protocols for entertainment spaces.

For the Morettis, the fallout is total. Their small group of restaurants and bars in the region stands boycotted or shuttered. Jacques remains in custody, reportedly struggling with his mental health under the strain. Jessica, though bailed, has largely withdrawn from public life after her tearful apology. Past reports of Jacques’s unrelated legal issues in France have resurfaced in media coverage, further darkening the narrative.

Yet the most haunting aspect remains the preventable nature of the disaster. Had the ceiling used non-flammable acoustic treatment, had sprinklers activated, had exits remained unobstructed and clearly marked, the death toll might have been zero. Instead, a chain of decisions—some made during those 2015 renovation days captured so casually in photographs—converged on one fatal night.

Investigators continue their work: forensic testing of foam samples, analysis of structural plans, interviews with former employees and contractors, reconstruction of the timeline. Every alteration documented in those old images is being measured against Swiss fire codes and industry best practices. Families wait, not for excuses or expressions of sorrow, but for clarity on why safety was compromised and who bears responsibility.

The trail of decisions refuses to disappear. Those 2015 renovation photos—once symbols of entrepreneurial pride—are now evidence in courtrooms, memorials in the minds of survivors, and a stark warning etched into Switzerland’s collective memory. A basement bar meant to host celebration became a place of unimaginable loss because choices made behind closed doors, over a decade ago, were never adequately challenged—until it was far too late.