Homes evacuated over fire-damaged hotel safety fears

Residents living near to a fire-damaged seaside hotel in Folkestone have been evacuated over safety fears that the intensity of the basement blaze weakened the building's structure, the council has said.

The blaze broke out at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Marine Parade in the early hours of Saturday, with about 280 people evacuated.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council said 90 people were relocated from Pavilion Court in Marine Terrace following concerns raised by safety inspectors.

Kent Police said the blaze was being treated as suspicious and has appealed for witnesses.

A council spokesperson said the Pavilion Court residents had been given hotel accommodation in the town, adding that it was "working to arrange alternative housing for all affected residents while the Grand Burstin undergoes further assessments and any required works to make it safe".

In a statement, Britannia Hotels Group, which runs the Grand Burstin, said it was "fully cooperating with Kent Police and supporting their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire".

It added: "We remain in close contact with all relevant authorities and will provide any assistance or information required as their enquiries continue.

"In the meantime, the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members remains our priority."

A total of 26 fire engines were sent to the hotel at about 01:05 BST on Saturday, Kent Fire & Rescue Service said, adding: "It's believed the fire started in the basement of the property."

On Sunday, a fire service spokesperson said the firefighting operation had ended, and the scene had been handed over to Kent Police.

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

Folkestone & Hythe District Council set up a welfare centre at the Three Hills Sports Park for hotel residents evacuated on Saturday.

Other local businesses, including nearby pub The Harbour Inn, also opened their doors to those affected.

Speaking to the BBC, John Dighton, who was evacuated from Pavilion Court, said he was told to leave his flat at about 19:00 on Saturday.

The 50-year-old said: "We don't know how long we will be out for but we have grabbed stuff for a couple of days.

"The worst thing is the not knowing. We are at a hotel over the road from the flats."

Ross Honeycomb, 39, was staying at the hotel with his family and told the BBC on Saturday how 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."

Kevin Crawford, 91, and his wife Kathleen, 82, said they had booked in for a two-week stay at the hotel.

The couple, from London, told the BBC that they were in their room on the sixth floor when they heard a fire alarm.

"We saw the fire but we thought the fire brigade had it under control," said Kevin.

"We managed to sleep through it. At the time, we didn't realise how bad the fire was."

The council's chief executive, Susan Priest, said on Saturday: "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.

"This was an extremely difficult day, firstly for the hotel guests and this evening for our residents who have had to move out of their homes."

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