A grieving Swiss mother has reignited demands for justice after uncovering what she believes were intentional oversights that turned a New Year’s Eve celebration into a deadly inferno at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, mother of 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, one of the 40 victims killed in the blaze, has spoken out again, insisting the tragedy stemmed from deliberate failures rather than mere accident.

The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, during a crowded party at the popular ski resort venue. Initial investigations point to decorative sparklers attached to champagne bottles being held too close to the ceiling, igniting highly flammable soundproofing material—possibly banned polyurethane foam—causing the flames to spread with terrifying speed. The bar had only one narrow escape route, allowed underage entry despite strict rules, and faced allegations that fire extinguishers were locked away, worsening the chaos.

Two managers, French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of Le Constellation, now face criminal charges including involuntary manslaughter, negligent injury, and causing fire through carelessness. Authorities are probing safety compliance, licensing, and whether regulations on materials and emergency exits were deliberately ignored or overlooked.

Arthur, a kind and responsible teenager who loved football and had reserved a table with friends, sent his last loving text to his mother just after midnight: “Happy New Year, Mum, I love you.” Hours of agony followed as Laetitia frantically searched hospitals in Lausanne and Bern, provided DNA samples, and waited amid the horror of charred remains making identification difficult. She later confirmed his death in an emotional Facebook video, saying, “Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise,” but her pain has turned to fierce determination for accountability.

The disaster claimed mostly young lives—many under 18, the youngest just 14—shocking Switzerland and prompting a national day of mourning and memorials. Dozens more were severely injured and transferred to hospitals across Europe. Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, who described her son as gentle and full of life, now accuses those responsible of turning a joyful night into an avoidable nightmare through gross negligence or worse.

As funerals continue and the investigation deepens, she vows to fight until full truth emerges—demanding answers for every family shattered that night. This wasn’t fate; it was preventable failure, and justice must be served for Arthur and all the lost young souls.