Fire breaks out at landmark seafront hotel in Folkestone as guests evacuated & 26 fire engines rush to the scene

30th September 2014 The Great Burstin Hotel in Folksteone Asylum seekers transferred to Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent Home Office moved them after overcrowding at another hotel in London Three-star hotel has sea views and is known for evening entertainment The 550-room coastal hotel has rooms for one costing up to £66-a-night MP insists it’s only a temporary move to ‘relieve situation’ in the capital Residents joke the hotel’s name is apt for country ‘burstin’ at the seams’ Hotel website gives room rates for two-week stay of £616 for two sharing Unclear how much HO is spending but 65 of these rooms would cost £40k Credit: Nick Obank – The Sun A FIRE has broken out at a landmark seafront hotel as guests are evacuated and 26 fire engines rush to the scene. Emergency services descended on the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent, in the early hours of this morning. A blaze has broken out at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent Credit: Alamy Kent Fire Service said it is believed the blaze started in the basement of the property but the “cause is not yet known”. Locals have been warned to avoid the area and “close all windows and doors” as black smoke pours from the hotel. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Fifteen fire engines remain in the area as firefighters continue to battle the flames after racing to the scene at around 2am this morning. Residents quickly took to social media, with one commenting: “Yes, hotel is on fire. Cars in the underground car park destroyed. Ours included “Hotel ballroom gone and all of basement level.” A welfare centre has been arranged with Folkestone and Hythe District Council after the building was evacuated. A spokesperson for the local authority said: “We are operating a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park for people being evacuated from the site, where we are providing support to those affected. “We are supporting all emergency services involved in the response and their efforts to get people to safety.” Most read in The Sun A spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “At the height of the incident, control operators sent 26 fire engines and a height vehicle to the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus are working to extinguish the fire. “Fifteen fire engines and a height vehicle remain in attendance and firefighters are continuing to make good progress. “It’s believed the fire started in the basement of the property, but the cause is not yet known. “The building has been evacuated, and a welfare centre has been arranged with Folkestone and Hythe District Council. “Officers from Kent Police are in attendance to assist with traffic control, and KFRS’ Volunteer Response Team is providing support and advice.” A spokesperson for Folkestone and Hythe District Council said: “We are operating a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park for people being evacuated from the site, where we are providing support to those affected. “We are supporting all emergency services involved in the response and their efforts to get people to safety.” The Sun has contacted Kent Police and South East Ambulance Service for comment.