Co-owner of Swiss bar taken into custody over deadly fire that killed 40 people: Report

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - A co-owner of the Swiss bar, where 40 people were killed in New Year's Eve fire, has been taken into custody, according to media reports on Friday.

Jacques Moretti, a co-owner of the Le Constellation bar, is in custody due to a potential flight risk, 24 heures newspaper reported, citing prosecutors.

This came days after it emerged that the ski resort bar in Crans-Montana had not undergone an annual inspection for the past five years.

The tragic fire incident also left 116 people injured.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Nicolas Feraud, the mayor of Crans-Montana, said all sparkler candles, which were blamed for the fire, have been banned inside venues.

Last week, investigators said that they believe sparkling candles attached to champagne bottles ignited a fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of the bar.