The legal proceedings following the devastating New Year’s Eve blaze in Crans-Montana have hit a significant wall of silence. On Wednesday, the former fire safety official for the municipality refused to answer questions from investigators, ending his interrogation in just 15 minutes.
The refusal comes as the Valais Public Prosecutor’s office resumes a critical series of hearings involving nine suspects. The investigation centers on the fire at the “Le Constellation” bar, a tragedy that claimed 41 lives and left 115 others injured, many of whom remain in hospital care months later.
This Crans-Montana fire investigation is now navigating a complex web of municipal responsibility and private negligence. The former official, who previously served the municipality of Chermignon—which merged into Crans-Montana in 2017—exercised his right to remain silent, citing a lack of access to the case files.
A Clash Over Transparency and Truth
The sudden conclusion of the interrogation has sparked tension between the defense and the representatives of the victims. Robert Assaël, a lawyer representing the civil parties, expressed shock at the defendant’s refusal to cooperate after being notified of the charges. Assaël stated that the victims are waiting for one thing: the truth.
Still, the defense maintains that the silence is a procedural necessity. Fabien Mingard, the lawyer for the former safety official, stated that his client exercised the right to remain silent as he has not yet been granted access to the investigation’s documents. Mingard noted that since a first hearing had already occurred, the Public Prosecutor should, in principle, allow the consultation of these records. He added that his client remains ready to collaborate once the legal requirements for document access are met.
The legal stakes are high. The suspects, including the former and current safety officials, as well as bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face charges of manslaughter, negligent personal injury, and negligent arson. These charges reflect the gravity of the oversight that allowed a celebration to turn into a mass-casualty event.
The Anatomy of a 90-Second Tragedy
The sheer speed of the disaster is a focal point of the criminal probe. According to data confirmed by the Public Prosecutor and the Valais cantonal police, the entire sequence of events—from the initial ignition in the basement ceiling to the “flashover”—lasted just over 90 seconds.
A flashover occurs when temperatures in a room rise so high that every combustible surface ignites simultaneously, creating a wall of fire that makes escape nearly impossible. In the case of “Le Constellation,” this phenomenon left only eight people able to exit the building unscathed. The result was a catastrophic loss of life, with Canton of Valais authorities recording 41 deaths and 115 injuries.
Investigation Timeline and Key Hearings
Due to the scale of the case, which involves 91 different lawyers, the hearings are being conducted at the Energypolis campus in Sion to accommodate the volume of legal counsel. The current round of interrogations is the third of five planned for the week.
| Date | Subject of Hearing | Status/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Former Fire Safety Official | Refused to answer |
| Thursday | Deputy Fire Safety Official (2020-2024) | Scheduled |
| Friday | Public Security Team Member | Scheduled |
| April 13 | Nicolas Féraud | Mayor of Crans-Montana |
| April 15 | Former Executive Member | Security Lead (2021-2024) |
Procedural Delays and Medical Exemptions
The schedule for the Crans-Montana fire investigation has already seen disruptions. The current round of hearings began one day later than originally planned. Jacques Moretti, the manager of “Le Constellation,” was excused from his Tuesday appearance after his lawyer provided two medical certificates that the investigators deemed admissible.
The focus of the prosecution now shifts toward the municipal leadership. The upcoming testimony of Mayor Nicolas Féraud and the former head of public security will likely examine whether safety inspections were ignored or if building codes were improperly enforced in the years leading up to the tragedy.
Disclaimer: This report covers ongoing legal proceedings. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The next critical phase of the investigation will be the testimony of Mayor Nicolas Féraud on Monday, April 13, which may provide insight into the administrative oversight of the site.
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