Jacques and Jessica Moretti, praised as rising stars in hospitality, now face serious questions as investigators probe claims the fire began when sparklers ignited the ceiling.
The owners of the nightclub that went up in flames killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 100 others have links to the UK, it has emerged. Swiss hospitality power couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti opened Le Constellation in the exclusive ski resort of Crans-Montana in 2015.
But the venue was destroyed in a horrific blaze in the early hours of New Year’s Day as revellers rang in 2026. Jessica, 40, once studied at the University of Glamorgan in south Wales, according to her Facebook.
She also attended the International University of Monaco and Montpellier Business School in her native France. The couple, who reportedly have a young son, now live on the French island of Corsica and first visited Crans-Montana on holiday in 2011 before deciding to launch their bar, reports the Mirror.
Le Constellation was promoted locally as an “elegant space” with a “festive atmosphere” and was one of the few venues in the resort allowing 16 and 17-year-olds through the doors. Witnesses claim the fire may have started when sparklers placed in champagne bottles ignited material on the ceiling — though officials warn it will take time to confirm the exact cause.
Jessica is said to have been inside the club when the blaze broke out and reportedly suffered burns to her arm, while her husband was working at another of their businesses. Friends say the couple are “completely in shock”.
Since opening Le Constellation, the Morettis had gone on to launch several restaurants in Switzerland and were praised locally as tireless and ambitious. Now, however, they face major questions over the tragedy at the former derelict building, as frantic parents continue searching for missing teenagers.
Rayan Guiren, 18, said: “Many parents have been searching for their children.” Newly surfaced footage also appeared to show a flashover moment as flames race across the ceiling.
One witness told BFM TV: “A waiter climbed on another waiter’s shoulders with a birthday candle near the ceiling — it caught fire in a couple of minutes.”
Another survivor described chaos on the only exit: “The staircase was extremely narrow. There was a huge surge in the crowd. We managed to escape just in time.”
Police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed the blaze began in the basement and led to a crush as partygoers tried to flee via the single stairway. A complex investigation is now under way.
