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Residents living near a fire-damaged seaside hotel in Kent have been evacuated from their homes after concerns that the intense basement fire may have weakened the building’s structure, according to the local council.
The fire broke out at the Grand Burstin Hotel on Marine Parade in Folkestone during the early hours of Saturday, forcing around 280 people to leave the hotel.
Following concerns raised by safety inspectors, 90 residents were also evacuated from Pavilion Court on Marine Terrace. Folkestone & Hythe District Council said the decision was taken because of fears over the possible impact of the fire on the structural safety of the surrounding area.
Kent Police said the fire was being treated as suspicious and appealed to the public for information that could help with the investigation.
A council spokesperson said residents from Pavilion Court had been provided with hotel accommodation in Folkestone. The council added that it was working to find alternative housing for everyone affected while further inspections of the Grand Burstin are carried out and any necessary work is completed to make the building safe.
Britannia Hotels Group, which operates the Grand Burstin, said it was fully cooperating with Kent Police and supporting the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
The company also thanked emergency service workers for their response. It said engineers and building inspectors were on site carrying out structural assessments, while its staff were working to support guests with their immediate needs.
The hotel group added that it remained in close contact with the relevant authorities and thanked those affected for their patience and understanding while the situation continued to develop.
Kent Fire & Rescue Service said 26 fire engines were sent to the hotel at around 01:05 BST on Saturday. The service said the fire was believed to have started in the basement of the building.
By Sunday, firefighters had completed their operation and handed the scene over to Kent Police, according to a fire service spokesperson.
Station manager Lawrence Pater described the blaze as "very severe" and said its intensity had raised concerns about the structural integrity of the building. Fire officials were seeking advice from building inspectors as assessments continued.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council established a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park to provide support for hotel guests who had been evacuated on Saturday.
Several local businesses also stepped in to help people affected by the incident. Nearby pub The Harbour Inn was among those that opened its doors to residents and visitors needing assistance.
John Dighton, who was evacuated from Pavilion Court, told the BBC that he was instructed to leave his flat at around 19:00 on Saturday.
The 50-year-old said residents did not know how long they would be unable to return home and had only taken enough belongings to last for a few days. He said the uncertainty was particularly difficult, adding that he and others had been placed in a hotel across the road from their homes.
Ross Honeycomb, 39, was staying at the Grand Burstin with his family when the fire broke out. Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, he said they were woken by fire alarms at around 01:00.
He described the incident as frightening, saying he initially thought he might have been dreaming. When the family looked outside, they could see large amounts of smoke coming from the underground car park. They later heard explosions as the fire continued.
Kevin Crawford, 91, and his wife Kathleen, 82, had travelled from London and booked a two-week stay at the hotel.
The couple were staying on the sixth floor when they heard the fire alarm. Kevin said they could see the fire but initially believed firefighters had brought the situation under control.
The couple eventually went back to sleep, only realising later how serious the blaze had become.
Susan Priest, chief executive of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, praised the organisations and local businesses that helped people affected by the emergency.
She said support from organisations including Three Hills, Morrisons and the Salvation Army had been extremely valuable in ensuring evacuated visitors and residents received assistance, food and hot drinks.
She described the incident as an extremely difficult day, first for the hotel guests forced to leave and later for local residents who were also required to move out of their homes because of safety concerns.
