Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent dozens of engines to the seafront hotel overnight. Here's everything we know so far.
Around 280 guests and staff were evacuated from the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone in the early hours of Saturday morning after a fire broke out inside the seafront building. Kent Fire and Rescue Service scrambled a large number of engines to the scene overlooking Folkestone Harbour, and a welfare centre was set up nearby for those forced out of the hotel.
Key facts
What happened at the Grand Burstin Hotel
Kent Police said they were called at around 1:20am on Saturday to reports of a fire at the hotel, which sits on Marine Parade in Folkestone. Fire investigators believe the blaze started in the hotel's basement, although the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that around 280 people were told to leave the building as crews worked to bring the fire under control. As of Saturday morning, no injuries had been reported in connection with the fire.
Dozens of fire engines tackle the blaze
The response was significant: at its height, around 1am, 26 fire engines were at the scene. By mid-morning that number had been scaled back to 10 engines still working at the site. Kent Fire and Rescue Service said its Volunteer Response Team was on hand to support those affected, while the Salvation Army provided welfare support to firefighting crews.
Road closures remain in place around the hotel while emergency services continue to work, and Kent Police said officers were on scene to help keep traffic moving safely around the affected area.
Evacuated guests taken to a welfare centre
Folkestone and Hythe District Council opened a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park to support people evacuated from the hotel. In an update, the council confirmed it was working alongside the emergency services responding to the fire and would continue to share information as it became available.
The council also urged people living near the hotel to take precautions while crews worked to control the blaze, advising residents to "close all windows and doors" and stay away from the immediate area around the hotel until it was safe to do so.
What the hotel's owner is saying
Britannia Hotels Group, which owns the Grand Burstin, confirmed the incident and said it was taking immediate steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of guests and team members. The company said emergency services were on site and that it was fully cooperating with the authorities to support those affected and assist with the ongoing response.
About the Grand Burstin Hotel
The Grand Burstin is one of the largest hotels on the south coast, occupying a prominent position overlooking Folkestone Harbour on Marine Parade. With several hundred rooms across multiple floors, it is a popular base for coach parties, weekend breaks and seaside getaways, and includes leisure facilities such as an indoor pool. Saturday's fire is the most significant incident reported at the hotel in recent years.
Advice for people living nearby
- Avoid the area around the hotel and do not attempt to approach the building.
- Keep windows and doors closed if you live or work nearby.
- Follow the instructions of emergency services on the ground.
- Keep roads clear so fire engines and other emergency vehicles can get through.
- Check official Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Folkestone and Hythe District Council channels for the latest updates.
What happens next
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and an investigation is expected once crews have finished making the building safe. Road closures around the hotel are likely to remain in place for some time, and the welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park will stay open for as long as evacuated guests need support.
This is a developing story, and details — including the number of engines on scene and the status of road closures — may change as the day goes on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were evacuated from the Grand Burstin Hotel?
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said around 280 guests and staff were evacuated from the hotel after the fire broke out early on Saturday morning.
Where did the Folkestone hotel fire start?
The fire is believed to have started in the basement of the Grand Burstin Hotel, though the official cause had not been confirmed as of Saturday morning.
Was anyone injured in the Grand Burstin Hotel fire?
No injuries relating to the fire had been reported as of Saturday morning, according to Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
How many fire engines attended the fire?
At its height, around 1am, 26 fire engines were at the scene. That number had been scaled back to 10 engines still working at the site by mid-morning.
Where are evacuated guests being looked after?
Folkestone and Hythe District Council set up a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park to support guests and staff evacuated from the hotel.
Who owns the Grand Burstin Hotel?
The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone is owned and operated by Britannia Hotels Group, which said it was cooperating fully with emergency services.
Is the road near the Grand Burstin Hotel closed?
Yes. Road closures remain in place around the hotel on Marine Parade while Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Kent Police continue to work at the scene.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
Further reading
ITV News Meridian — full coverage
The Independent — live updates
BBC News — full report