Le Constellation Fire Investigation
In the aftermath of the fire at Le Constellation, in which 41 people lost their lives and 115 others were injured, the owners of the destroyed venue are preparing to reopen two additional establishments. Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who have owned Le Constellation since 2015, are currently under investigation by the Valais Public Prosecutor’s Office for manslaughter, negligent injury, and arson.
Community Opposition and Petitions
The prospect of the owners returning to operate in the area has sparked opposition from the community and the victims’ families. The protests target Le Senso, in the center of Crans-Montana, and Le Vieux Chalet, in the nearby municipality of Lens. The fear of an imminent reopening prompted the “Collettivo Crans Montana” to launch a petition on Change.org, which has exceeded 16,000 signatures. Promoters and relatives of the victims are calling for a formal “moral suspension” of activities: they are asking that no business linked to the two suspects resume service until the judiciary has fully clarified the responsibilities for the fire.
Investigation Findings
The fire, which broke out on the night between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, quickly turned into a flashover, according to initial reconstructions, due to the use of pyrotechnic devices and the presence of highly flammable acoustic foam inside the venue. Some lawyers for the civil parties are urging for the charges to be tightened: based on recently emerged internal messages, they hypothesize that the managers were fully aware of the dangers associated with the materials present, thus configuring a case of “acceptance of risk.”
Municipal Safety Oversight
The investigation has also involved the public control system. The judiciary has extended the investigation to current and former security managers of the Municipality of Crans-Montana, after verifying that Le Constellation had not been subjected to fire inspections for five years, from 2020 to 2025.
Summary of Findings
- Status: Investigation ongoing by the Valais Public Prosecutor’s Office.
- Entities: Jacques and Jessica Moretti; Le Constellation; Le Senso; Le Vieux Chalet.
- Conclusion: Families and the “Collettivo Crans Montana” are seeking to halt the opening of further establishments linked to the owners pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.