Hundreds evacuated after major fire breaks out at Folkestone hotel, tell me about this news in (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/hundreds-evacuated-after-major-fire-breaks-out-at-folkestone-hotel/ar-AA2cy8gf?ocid=BingNewsVerp)

A major fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the iconic Grand Burstin Hotel located on the seafront near Folkestone Harbour in Kent, England.

Emergency services were alerted around 1:00 am after the fire originated in the hotel’s basement. At the height of the blaze, Kent Fire and Rescue Service deployed 26 fire engines along with a height vehicle and specialist equipment to tackle the incident. Kent Police also attended to establish road closures and manage traffic around Marine Parade.

Around 280 guests and staff were evacuated from the building. No injuries related to the fire were reported.

To support the displaced visitors, Folkestone and Hythe District Council set up a dedicated welfare centre at the Three Hills Sports Park, supported by volunteer teams and The Salvation Army. Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed to avoid heavy smoke as firefighters dampened down hotspots, and an investigation into the precise cause of the blaze is underway.