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Crans-Montana Bar Fire: Town Admits Years of Missed Inspections and Imposes New Safety Measures

Investigators are pursuing a negligence case focused on combustible ceiling foam plus long‑standing warnings.

Overview

  • Municipal leaders confirmed the bar was not inspected from 2020 to 2025, with the last check in 2019, and ordered external reviews of all local venues.
  • Authorities banned pyrotechnics in enclosed spaces and revoked the operators’ permit for a second venue pending the probe.
  • Preliminary findings indicate sparks from a bottle “fountain” ignited acoustic foam, triggering a rapid flashover, with the foam’s compliance under forensic review.
  • A New Year’s Eve 2019 video shows a waiter warning guests about the foam, while former staff allege a blocked exit, poor extinguisher access and understaffing, which prosecutors are evaluating.
  • Operators Jacques and Jessica Moretti pledged full cooperation as all victims were identified and many severely burned patients remained in specialist hospitals abroad.