Dozens of residents near a Folkestone hotel affected by a major fire have been moved from their homes amid concerns the building's structure has been compromised.
Fire crews were called to the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour shortly after 1am on Saturday, with investigators suspecting the blaze began in the basement, according to Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
Kent Police confirmed an investigation is under way, adding that officers suspect the fire may have been started deliberately. No casualties have been reported.
Initial evacuations saw around 280 people removed from the hotel. On Saturday evening, safety inspectors raised fears over structural weakness, prompting Folkestone and Hythe District Council to evacuate a further 90 residents from nearby Pavilion Court on Marine Terrace.
The council’s housing team is now securing alternative accommodation for affected residents while safety assessments and necessary works are carried out on the hotel.
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.
In an update on Saturday evening, a Kent Police spokesman said: “A fire in Folkestone is being treated as suspicious, with detectives seeking witnesses and dashcam footage.
“Kent Police was called at around 1.20am on Saturday 19 September, to a report of a fire at a hotel in Marine Parade, Folkestone.
“Officers are in attendance to assist with traffic flow while crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service work to fully extinguish the fire.
“Enquiries into the circumstances are underway and officers now believe the fire may have been caused deliberately.
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.
