Fire forces evacuation of hundreds from Folkestone's Grand Burstin hotel

A fire in the basement of a seaside hotel in Folkestone triggered an overnight evacuation of hundreds of guests, with no injuries reported.

• The blaze broke out at the Grand Burstin Hotel shortly after 1am on Saturday, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service dispatched 26 fire engines to the scene.
• About 280 people were evacuated from the building, and 10 fire engines remained at the hotel damping down remaining hotspots.
• No fire-related injuries have been reported, and the fire service said the cause of the blaze was not yet known.
• Folkestone and Hythe District Council opened a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park and advised nearby residents to close windows and doors.