Major seaside hotel fire treated as suspicious

In an update at 15:00, the fire service said that nine fire engines remained at the scene "dampening down any remaining hotspots".

Station manager Lawrence Pater said the "very severe" fire had raised concerns about the structural integrity of the building, and that it was seeking advice from inspectors.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has set up a welfare centre at the Three Hills Sports Park and nearby residents have been advised to avoid the area of the fire and close windows and doors.

"We are supporting all emergency services involved in the response and their efforts to get people to safety", the council said.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it assessed a number of people at the scene and one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels Group, which runs the Grand Burstin Hotel, said it was "taking immediate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all guests and team members".

"Emergency services are on site and we are fully cooperating with the authorities to support those affected and assist with the ongoing response", it added.

Ross Honeycomb, 39, was staying at the hotel with his family and told the BBC that they were woken by fire alarms at about 01:00.

He said: "I thought I was dreaming, it was horrifying.

"We looked out and there was smoke billowing from the underground car park. Later we started hearing explosions."

"It has just been madness. I have been out barefoot all night."

Ben Cuthbert, owner of The Harbour Inn, opened his restaurant for those who evacuated.

"I got a call in the middle of the night and I was told there was a big fire at the hotel," he said.

Cuthbert added that there were many people who did not know where to go or what to do.

"Some people left their room only in their night gowns and had nothing else with them," he said.

"A lot of people were scared, we helped comfort them by giving them a place to rest."

Cuthbert also offered space for paramedics to treat people.

Kent Police said that officers were called to the hotel at about 01:20 to "assist traffic flow" while firefighters tackled the blaze.

Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran paid tribute to emergency services on X, saying firefighters responded "rapidly, professionally and with saving lives at the forefront of their minds".

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