Dozens of families have been evacuated from homes next to a hotel that used to house migrants that was hit by a fire in ‘suspicious’ circumstances.
Some 26 fire engines were deployed to the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent, just after 1am on Saturday where a fire is believed to have started in the basement.
Flames ripped through the hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning and pictures show charred rubble across the floor along with blackened walls and hanging debris.
Burnt-out cars have also been pictured lined up outside the hotel.
Police and the fire service said the fire was being treated as ‘suspicious’ – and have appealed for witnesses.
About 280 people were evacuated from the hotel at the time and 90 people were moved from nearby Pavilion Court in Marine Terrace on Saturday evening, following safety inspectors’ concerns that the intensity of the fire at the hotel weakened the building’s structure, Folkestone and Hythe District Council said.
The council added that it was working to arrange alternative housing for affected residents while the hotel undergoes further assessments and any required works to make it safe.
No injuries relating to the fire have been reported.
Guests were evacuated from the Grand Burstin Hotel after a fire broke out at around 1.05am on Saturday
Flames ripped through the hotel in the early hours of this morning and pictures show charred rubble across the floor along with blackened walls and hanging debris
Burnt-out cars have been pictured lined up outside the The Grand Burstin Hotel, which previously housed migrants
The Grand Burstin Hotel was previously used to house around 130 asylum seekers in 2014 to ease overcrowding at a south London hotel.
In 2019, 59 asylum seekers were housed at the hotel again due to an ’emergency measure’.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council said at the time that the migrants were housed temporarily under ‘extenuating circumstances’.
The hotel currently operates as a commercial hotel open to the public.
Police said that the fire was being treated as suspicious.
Jeff Gardner, 44, who was staying at the hotel as part of an ancestry trip, said he believed he heard a couple of explosions.
Recalling the grey smoke turning black as he left the building, the Texan said: ‘Some people in pyjamas and one guy just had some sweatpants on.
‘At least I got my clothes. I didn’t get my bag. I don’t have my passport.’
Police and the fire service said the fire was being treated as ‘suspicious’ – and have appealed for witnesses
The fire is believed to have started in the basement and police have appealed for witnesses
The Grand Burstin Hotel was previously used to house around 130 asylum seekers in 2014
Mr Gardner said he was outside for about four hours before guests were given somewhere to stay.
He later arrived at Three Hills Sports Park, where people gathered in a hall while the hotel remained evacuated.
He described hearing what he believed to be cars exploding in the flames.
‘Grey smoke that turned blacker. A couple of explosions, I assume. Cars. Yeah, gas tanks blowing up,’ he said.
One guest had been staying on the first floor of the Grand Burstin Hotel when they were abruptly awoken by the fire alarm.
They said: ‘We just had to jump up, get ready and dash out. We were sat outside for ages, it was freezing cold, then they let us come into The Harbour Inn.’
Ben Cuthbert, 47, who runs the pub near the hotel, said he opened at around 2am after being called and asked to give evacuated guests a place to keep warm.
He said around 200 people had gathered outside in the harbour when he arrived, before people were brought into the pub to stay warm and receive treatment.
‘When we got here at 2am in the morning, there were people everywhere,’ he said.
‘They just needed a place to stay warm and come in from the cold and be treated.’
Mr Cuthbert said it was ‘quite chaotic at first’ as people were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and other injuries throughout the night.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council chief executive Susan Priest said on Saturday evening: ‘This has been an extremely difficult day, firstly for the hotel guests and this evening for our residents who have had to move out of their homes.
‘The extent of support of organisations including Three Hills, Morrisons and the Salvation Army has been amazing and helped to ensure that visitors and residents were looked after, supported and had food and hot drinks.’
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said at 7.30am on Sunday that one fire engine remained at the scene and crews were monitoring for remaining hotspots.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or might have relevant CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, particularly from 10pm on Friday to 12.30am on Saturday, is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/155727/26.
