Fire Forces Evacuation at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a serious fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone necessitated a large-scale evacuation. Approximately 280 guests and staff were escorted to safety due to the blaze, which reportedly began in the hotel’s basement. Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, which required an extensive presence, including 26 fire engines, along the seafront property overlooking Folkestone’s picturesque harbour.

Response and Safety Measures

The Folkestone and Hythe district council quickly established a welfare center at Three Hills Sports Park to accommodate those evacuated. The council used social media to advise nearby residents to keep windows and doors shut while avoiding the area to facilitate emergency operations and ensure clear access for first responders.

Fortunately, no injuries have been linked to the fire. Emergency crews wearing breathing apparatus worked diligently to contain the flames and are currently addressing any residual hotspots. Meanwhile, investigations are underway to ascertain the fire’s origin, which remains undetermined at this time.

Ongoing Investigation

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, continuing its presence at the site, reports the situation is now under control. The police, called in around 1.20am, are also present to assist with managing the site’s accessibility and traffic control to support firefighting efforts.

The Grand Burstin, a Britannia Hotels property, is a significant local landmark with 550 rooms. The event has obviously disrupted normal operations, yet the primary concern remains the safety of individuals involved, with authorities continuing to monitor the situation closely while beginning a thorough investigation into what sparked the incident.

Photo by Shannon Tremaine on Unsplash