Jacques Moretti, co-owner of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, was detained. The detention follows a deadly New Year's Eve fire at the bar. The blaze killed 40 people and injured 116.
Moretti, a French national, is considered a potential flight risk by Swiss prosecutors. The Valais prosecutors' office is investigating him and his wife, Jessica Moretti. They face charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
The tragedy prompted a national day of mourning in Switzerland. Investigations revealed the bar hadn't undergone safety checks in five years. The fire is believed to have started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited sound-insulating foam.
Le Constellation is a popular bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort. The victims of the fire were largely under 20 years old.
Prosecutors will continue their investigation. The Morettis have pledged full cooperation. The investigation aims to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fire and potential negligence.
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