Additional reporting by Elli Hodgson
Hundreds of guests were evacuated from a major Kent hotel in the early hours after a fire ripped through the basement.
Flames could be seen engulfing The Grand Burstin Hotel on Folkestone seafront in the early hours of this morning as firefighters launched a huge emergency response.
Twenty-six fire engines and a height vehicle were sent to the Britannia Hotels-owned landmark at the height of the blaze.
Fifteen fire engines remain in attendance this morning, with crews wearing breathing apparatus working to extinguish the fire.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said firefighters were continuing to make good progress.
At its height, 26 engines descended on the fire at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel
In an update published at 6.55am, the service said: “It’s believed the fire started in the basement of the property, but the cause is not yet known.”
Meanwhile, a welfare centre has been arranged at Three Hills Sports Park for those affected.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) is supporting those forced to leave the hotel, while KFRS’ Volunteer Response Team is providing assistance and advice.
A fire taking hold at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel. Image: Megan Gibson
Police officers are also at the scene helping with traffic control, as a cordon remains in place around the hotel.
Residents living nearby have been urged to shut windows and doors and stay away from the area.
Emergency services have asked people to keep roads clear for fire engines and other vehicles attending the incident.
An overnight fire has ripped through Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel
Speaking from the scene this morning, one guest told KentOnline she was evacuated from the fourth floor in the early hours of this morning.
“We just woke up when the alarm went off. We just had to jump up, get ready and dash out,” she said.
“Everybody was just getting out as quickly as they could.
A downstairs area has been gutted by fire at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel
“We were sat outside for ages, it was freezing cold, then they let us come into this pub (The Harbour Inn).”
Ben Cuthbert, 47, who runs the Harbour Inn opposite the hotel, said the pub had been open since about 2am after he was contacted and asked to provide a place for evacuated guests.
He said around 200 people had gathered outside in the harbour when he arrived, with people then brought into the pub to stay warm and receive treatment.
Ben Cuthbert, 47, who runs The Harbour Inn, opposite The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone
“When we got here at 2 o’clock 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 the pub had been full throughout the night, with paramedics treating people suffering from smoke inhalation and various injuries.
A cordon has been set up around Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel after a basement fire
He said some people had suffered sprained legs, cuts and bruises, which he believed was due to the speed and number of people leaving the hotel.
“It looked quite chaotic at first but it got organised very quickly between the police and the fire and the ambulance,” he said.
Mr Cuthbert said the council arrived at about 5am and began organising people to be taken to the welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park.
The aftermath after a fire at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel this morning
Hotel guest Jeff Gardner, 44, said the alarm went off at about 1.15am or 1.20am, prompting him to make his way down a fire escape.
He said he joined other guests outside, where a headcount was taken.
“By the time we were out there, they took a head count and it was over a hundred people that were at the hotel,” he said.
A downstairs area has been gutted by fire at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel
Mr Gardner said he saw grey smoke which turned blacker as he left the building.
He also recalled hearing what he believed were a couple of explosions.
“Grey smoke that turned blacker. A couple of explosions, I assume. Cars. Yeah, gas tanks blowing up,” he said.
Hotel guest Jeff Gardner, 44, said the alarm went off at about 1.15am or 1.20am, prompting him to take the fire escape down
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 had gathered in a hall while the hotel remained evacuated.
He said: “I haven’t gone through registration or anything.”
A police cordon set up during a blaze at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel
Mr Gardner, who is from Texas in the US, was staying at the hotel as part of an ancestry trip, where he was visiting places connected to the results of his DNA test.
He had been due to stay at the hotel for two nights and the fire happened on his first night.
Describing how some guests had been forced to leave the hotel without being fully dressed, he said: “Some people in pyjamas and one guy just had some sweatpants on,” he said.
Emergency services at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone after a fire broke out
“At least I got my clothes. I didn’t get my bag. I don’t have my passport.”
Residents took to social media with one commenting: “Hotel is on fire. Cars in the underground car park destroyed. Ours included.
“Hotel ballroom gone and all of basement level.”
At its height, 26 fire engines tackled the blaze at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel
Another added: “The fire crew came so quick, I heard a bang looked out couldn’t see anything then heard sirens and they were here about three minutes later.”
Speaking this morning, a Britannia spokesperson 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.
At about 5am, FHDC stated it was supporting emergency services as they worked to get people to safety and urged nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed, avoid the area and follow instructions from emergency crews.
The council also asked people to keep roads clear to allow emergency vehicles to access the scene, saying: “Avoid the area and do not attempt to approach the hotel.”