Crans-Montana, former head of security: ‘No inspections of sound-absorbing foam’

Milan, 10 February (LaPresse) – French broadcaster Bfmtv has revealed details that emerged from the interrogation of the former head of security for the municipality of Crans-Montana, which took place yesterday from 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. regarding the events of New Year’s Eve at the Le Constellation bar. The man explained that he had never carried out any inspections of the sound-absorbing foam, which is believed to have caused the rapid spread of the fire in which 41 people died. When asked why, the man replied that checks on “materials used” and therefore their flammability are only carried out if they are located on “escape routes”, such as staircases. The foam should therefore have been subject to checks, according to the interviewee, “at the time of the operating licence being issued”. Furthermore, according to the man, no buildings in the Swiss town would have been closed due to fire risk before 2026, only the Grand Hotel du Golf, which closed for this reason three weeks ago. However, the man questioned claims to have asked the canton, before 2026, to close the establishments he considered dangerous. According to him, he never succeeded and eventually stopped submitting the list of these establishments, claiming that the canton never took any action against them.