Large blaze engulfs Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel, dozens of fire engines deployed

Around 2 am, a fire erupted in the basement of the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, a property owned by Britannia Hotels that has previously housed migrants. Emergency services evacuated the hotel’s guests and deployed a large contingent of resources, including twenty-six fire engines and a height-rescue vehicle, later reduced to fifteen engines still active. Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus worked to contain the inferno, which investigators have not yet linked to a specific cause.

Local authorities established a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park to accommodate those displaced by the evacuation. Kent Police were present to direct traffic, and the Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Volunteer Response Team provided additional assistance and advice. The situation remains under control, with officials continuing to monitor the fire’s progress.