More than 200 evacuated after fire at seaside hotel, tell me about this news in (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6ly70gz4008o)
19-09-2026
Around 200 people were evacuated overnight following a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent.
Key details from the report:
The incident began in the early hours around 01:06 BST, with the fire believed to have broken out in the basement of the seaside hotel.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service deployed up to 26 fire engines to the scene. Crews brought the blaze under control, and operations were scaled down later in the morning to damp down remaining hotspots.
No fire-related injuries were reported.
Local authorities, including Folkestone and Hythe District Council, set up a temporary welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park to assist evacuated guests. Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed to avoid smoke.
Britannia Hotels, the company operating the hotel, stated that staff took immediate action to ensure the safety of all guests and employees and were fully cooperating with emergency services while investigators work to determine the cause of the fire.