GENEVA — A Swiss court ordered on Monday three months of pretrial detention for the co-owner of a bar in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana that caught fire on New Year's Day, killing 40 people and injuring 116 others.

The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern canton of Valais ordered that Jacques Moretti be held because of a possible "flight risk" highlighted by prosecutors.

However, the court said in a statement it was inclined to lift the three months of pretrial detention if sufficient “security measures,” potentially including bail, are arranged.

It said he should remain in custody until the measures are worked out.

Prosecutors for the Valais canton initially ordered Moretti to be detained on Friday after a lengthy hearing with him and his wife, Jessica.

In a statement, lawyers for Jessica Moretti said the court decision would allow her husband "to regain freedom" once conditions are arranged.

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the owners, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire.

Investigators believe that sparkling candles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling, which was outfitted with soundproofing material.

Authorities were looking into whether the material conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar.

It emerged last week that fire safety inspections hadn't been carried out since 2019.

Under regional regulations, all buildings in the canton of Valais that are "accessible to the public" must undergo an annual fire safety inspection.

In their first public comments since the fire, the Morettis, a French couple, said last week they were "devastated and overwhelmed with grief," and pledged their "full cooperation" with investigators.

At a commemoration ceremony on Friday as part of a national day of mourning, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said that Switzerland was “appalled” by the tragedy.

"We owe those affected, their families and loved ones respect, remembrance, and the obligation to do everything we can to ensure that such a catastrophe does not happen again," he wrote in an open letter. — Agencies