The owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died on New Year's Day was previously jailed for "fraud, kidnapping and false imprisonment," it has been revealed.
Jacques Moretti, a French national originally from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, and his wife, Jessica, have been questioned by authorities following the blaze earlier this week but remain at liberty and are co-operating; prosecutors have said that no formal criminal inquiry has yet been opened and would only be opened if criminal liability is established.
It is believed the fire, which occurred in their bar, Le Constellation, in Crans–Montana, Switzerland, was started by sparklers on top of bottles that were too close to the ceiling, according to a preliminary investigation.
The blaze, that injured 119 youngsters, mostly severely, broke out at around 1:30am local time on Thursday morning, with most of the victims in their teens and twenties, some as young as 14.
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French outlet Le Parisien is reporting that Mr Moretti, who is in his 60s, is "no stranger to the French justice system".
It is believed that, in 2005, he was implicated in a kidnap plot in Savoie, the French Alpine department close to Crans–Montana, and jailed.
The French outlet added: "He is known for pimping cases dating back some 20 years, as well as for a kidnapping and confinement case.
Jacques Moretti and his wife Jessica have been placed under criminal investigation after their bar was the scene of the devestating New Year's Eve fire
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"He was imprisoned in Savoie."
Additionally, RTL reported: "The Corsican–born man in his 60s was imprisoned in Savoie in 2005, for involvement in cases of pimping, fraud, kidnapping, and false imprisonment." Details of the allegations remain unclear, including whether it is alleged he was convicted of any offences.
At the time of the blaze, Mr Moretti was not in the bar, but rather at one of the other two restaurants that they own in the area.
Mrs Moretti was present and suffered a burn on her arm.
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More than 40 people died following the New Year's Eve blaze | X
Tributes were made to those who died in the fire
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Lead prosecutor in the canton of Valais, Beatrice Pilloud, said investigators were looking into whether the bar's acoustic foam was the "cause of the problem", and "whether it complies with regulations".
"It is still unclear whether any individuals will face criminal charges," she added. "However, it is possible that an investigation for negligent homicide will be initiated."
An enquiry into "arson by negligence" and "manslaughter by negligence" will only be opened if "criminal liability is established". The couple have not been formally charged.
Mr Moretti has insisted that they "followed all safety regulations". It has been reported that their bar has been inspected just "three times in 10 years" by health and safety officials, since they opened in 2015.
This is despite local fire prevention codes stating that inspections must occur "every year in buildings open to the public or presenting special risks".
Mr Moretti told the La Tribune de Genève newspaper that the couple can "neither sleep nor eat", adding that they are "not well".
"We will do everything in our power to help clarify the causes," he said. "We are doing everything in our power. Our lawyers are also involved."
In an eerily similar incident in 2016, 14 people died after sparklers caused a fatal fire in France, leaving youngsters trapped in the basement.
In that case, the bar managers were eventually sentenced to five years in prison.
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