The iconic Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent, has been engulfed in a major fire that broke out in the early hours of this morning, forcing the emergency evacuation of dozens of guests.
The alarm was raised shortly before 1:00 am on September 19, when a blaze reportedly ignited in the building’s basement level. The situation escalated rapidly, drawing a massive response from emergency services, with 26 fire engines and a height vehicle dispatched to the coastal landmark at the peak of the incident.
Terrified guests were forced to flee into the street as thick, black smoke began billowing into the night sky. Witness accounts from the scene have described a chaotic and frightening environment. One local resident, who observed the emergency response, noted that fire crews arrived within minutes of a loud “bang” being heard in the vicinity of the hotel.
Images captured by onlookers show the severity of the fire, with heavy smoke engulfing the seafront. One witness shared the devastating news that cars parked in the hotel’s underground garage had been destroyed, stating: “Hotel is on fire. Cars in the underground car park destroyed. Ours included. Hotel ballroom gone and all of basement level.”
As of 9:00 am, fifteen fire engines remain at the scene as crews in breathing apparatus continue to fight the remnants of the blaze. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has confirmed that while the fire originated in the basement, the exact cause of the inferno is not yet known and remains under investigation.
To assist those displaced by the emergency, the Folkestone and Hythe District Council has opened a dedicated welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park. Staff are on-site to provide support and refuge to the hotel guests who were forced to leave their belongings behind in the middle of the night.
“We are supporting all emergency services involved in the response and their efforts to get people to safety,” a council spokesperson stated earlier this morning.
In addition to the firefighters, officers from Kent Police are currently in attendance to manage traffic control and secure the perimeter, while KFRS’ Volunteer Response Team is providing on-the-ground support.
Local residents in the surrounding area have been issued a stern warning to stay well clear of the site. Officials have advised people living and working nearby to keep all doors and windows tightly shut as a precaution against the hazardous smoke and air quality.
There have been no reports of casualties as of this morning, and fire crews are said to be making “good progress” as they work to fully extinguish the fire and ensure the structural integrity of the iconic building.
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