The local fire chief for a Swiss ski resort where a New Year’s fire broke out in a bar, claiming 41 lives, was questioned for the first time on Monday by Swiss investigating prosecutors.<\/p>\n
David Vocat, who was being questioned as a witness, was seen by AFP inside the central police station in the town of Sion, speaking with his lawyer, who declined to answer questions from journalists outside during a brief break in proceedings.<\/p>\n
Besides those killed in the blaze in the resort in the Alpine village of Crans-Montana — most of whom were teenagers — another 115 people were injured when flames consumed the bottom floor of Le Constellation bar in the early hours of January 1.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors believe the fire started when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were raised too close to the bar basement ceiling, igniting sound insulation foam.<\/p>\n
Public anger was directed at Crans-Montana municipality when on January 6 it was revealed that no mandatory annual safety check had been carried out at the bar since 2019.<\/p>\n
Monday’s hearing was highly anticipated by lawyers and civil parties, following revelations by Swiss public broadcaster RTS on Sunday claiming that a 2023 audit highlighted serious deficiencies in the municipality’s fire safety.<\/p>\n
“I am surprised that this report is only being released a month and a half after events began, especially since the municipality told us it was cooperating with the justice system to uncover the truth. Unfortunately, I see that this is not the case,” Alain Viscolo, a lawyer representing two victims, told AFP.<\/p>\n
“We had high expectations and we have always been left disappointed,” he added.<\/p>\n
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