Owners of Swiss ski resort bar defend safety measures after 40 killed in fire

The owners of Le Constellation, a Swiss ski resort bar which went up in flames on New Year's Day, have spoken out about the fatal incident, defending their safety measures.

At least 40 people have been killed as a result of the fire, as regional police commander Frédéric Gisler stated that '100 or so' people were injured, a number which has since risen to the 115-120 range.

Witnesses shared their own accounts of events, with one claiming to have run into the blaze to save some partygoers who were trapped.

But many of those at the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana on Wednesday night claimed that 'birthday sparklers' were the cause of the large-scale fire, with many being 'significantly' wounded from burns as a result.

Authorities confirmed that the likely cause was the sparklers attached to the champagne bottles, which were too close to the ceiling of the bar before a fire broke out around 1.30am local time on Thursday.

The fire claimed the lives of 40 people (X/Suisse Alert)

Now, the owners of the nightclub have stated that they 'can't eat or sleep' in the aftermath of the tragic event.

Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica are the owners of the popular bar and claimed that they stuck to regulations in a statement given to local publication 20 Minuten by Jacques.

It read: "We can neither sleep nor eat, we are all very unwell... Everything had been done according to regulation.

"We will do everything we can to help clarify the causes. We are doing everything in our power. Our lawyers are also involved."

The municipality attorney general said that a probe has been launched into how the horrific fire began during the New Year's celebrations in the bar's basement, before spreading.

Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for the Valais region, stated: "We assume that the fire originated from sparklers attached to champagne bottles. From there, the ceiling caught fire.

"We are also looking at what materials were used. The issue of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and the bar's occupancy is also being investigated."

Jessica Moretti owns the bar alongside her husband, Jacques (LinkedIn)

Pilloud added: “If this is indeed the case and these individuals are still alive, an investigation will be opened against them for negligent arson, negligent homicide, and negligent bodily injury.”

The possibility of an attack was ruled out on Thursday.

Some victims who have been injured with serious burns and smoke inhalation are set to be 'transferred or will be transferred soon to European countries in specialised centres for severe burns'.