The grieving parents of a waitress who tragically perished in a fire at a Swiss bar are speaking out against those who are unfairly blaming their daughter for the incident.
Cyane Panine, known as ‘the girl in the helmet’, was captured in a video wearing a helmet and holding champagne bottles with lit sparklers before the fatal blaze on New Year’s Day. The 24-year-old French national was one of the 40 fatalities, while around 100 others suffered injuries, many of whom are still hospitalized with severe burns.
According to investigators, the sparklers set off highly flammable soundproofing foam on the bar’s low ceiling, leading to a rapid and devastating fire that engulfed the establishment in less than a minute.
Described by her mother as “spontaneous, radiant, and kind-hearted,” Cyane was portrayed as someone who trusted others wholeheartedly, a trait that ultimately cost her life.
Her father, a water conservation expert, expressed his dismay at his daughter being solely remembered as the girl with the helmet and sparklers in hand.
CCTV footage showed Ms. Panine being lifted by a colleague in the crowded bar, each hand holding a sparkler, as chaos erupted when the fire spread rapidly, trapping patrons inside.
The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are currently facing criminal charges for negligence leading to homicide. Allegations include locking emergency exits and installing flammable ceiling foam without proper safety checks. The bar had not undergone a fire safety inspection since 2019, as confirmed by local authorities.
In a statement following the tragedy, the Morettis described Cyane as almost part of their family. However, her parents criticized their remarks, accusing the owners of making misleading statements to distance themselves from responsibility. The couple denied any knowledge of the foam’s risks or encouraging staff to use sparklers.
Jacques Moretti was recently released on bail of 200,000 francs (£190,000) after a previous detention order due to his criminal history. Jessica Moretti is prohibited from leaving Switzerland pending the investigation.
The couple’s legal representative affirmed their commitment to cooperate fully with the authorities.
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