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The two managers of a bar where a blaze on New Year\u2019s Day killed at least 40 people have been placed under criminal investigation, Swiss prosecutors said.<\/p>\n
French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti owned and managed the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, which was crammed with young new year\u2019s revellers when a blaze began at about 1.30am local time (12.30am GMT) on Thursday, killing about 40 people and injuring more than 100.<\/p>\n
The offences they are suspected of having committed are homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence, the prosecutors\u2019 office in the canton of Valais said in a statement on Saturday.<\/p>\n Investigators believe fountain sparklers mounted on champagne bottles and held too close to the ceiling caused the deadly fire.<\/p>\n One image circulating online on Friday appeared to show the ceiling of the basement where the new year\u2019s party was being held, apparently clad with foam soundproofing panels, catching fire as the sparklers were held aloft.<\/p>\n \u201cA criminal investigation was opened last night against the two managers of the bar,\u201d police and the public prosecutor\u2019s office in the south-western Swiss canton of Wallis said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are charged with manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence.\u201d<\/p>\n The authorities recalled that \u201cthe presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is handed down\u201d.<\/p>\n Many of the injured were in their teens to mid-20s, police said. Authorities planned to look into whether the sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.<\/p>\n The process of identifying the dead and injured continued on Saturday as relatives waited, desperate for news.<\/p>\n Officials said they would also look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes. The region\u2019s senior prosecutor has warned of possible prosecutions if any criminal liability is found.<\/p>\n