Grand Burstin Hotel Fire in Folkestone Treated as Suspicious After 280 Evacuated

A major fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, England, is being treated as suspicious, police said Saturday after around 280 people were evacuated.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 26 fire engines were sent to the hotel shortly after 1:05 a.m. BST after a severe blaze broke out in the basement area.

Kent Police said officers are investigating the circumstances and appealing for witnesses, adding that the fire is believed to have been deliberately started.

One person was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while others were assessed at the scene by ambulance crews.

Firefighters said the blaze was severe enough to raise concerns about the structural integrity of the building, and inspectors were being consulted.

By mid-afternoon, nine fire engines remained at the scene damping down hotspots.

Local authorities opened a welfare center for displaced guests, while nearby residents were advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.