Nearly 100 forced out of homes after ‘deliberate’ blaze leaves seafront hotel ‘unsafe’ – as pictures reveal devastation

A HUGE blaze at a seafront hotel has forced nearly 100 people from their homes with fears the building is “unsafe” – as shocking images reveal the devastation. Fire crews swooped on the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent to tackle the inferno on Saturday with cops believing it may have been started deliberately. Over 200 guests were evacuated from the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent, on Saturday following a huge blaze Credit: Cover Images It’s believed the inferno started in the basement of the venue and may have been caused ‘deliberately’ Credit: Dave Hennessy/Facebook Kent Fire Service said it is believed the fire started in the basement of the property as 26 fire engines descended on the scene in the early hours. Around 280 guests and hotel staff were evacuated with local residents warned to avoid the area and to “close all windows and doors”. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Dramatic images show the devastation inflicted on the hotel with charred rubble seen strewn across the floor along with blackened walls and hanging debris. Burnt out cars were also pictured in the basement and lined up outside the venue after the fire ripped through the lower levels of the building. It’s believed the inferno started in the basement of the venue and may have been caused ‘deliberately’ Credit: Cover Images Dramatic images show the devastation with charred walls and rubble strewn across the floor Credit: Cover Images Now, the local authority has been forced to evacuate 90 residents from their homes nearby with fears the fire has left the building unsafe. Folkestone and Hythe District Council said in a statement: “Residents living near to the fire-damaged Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone have been relocated for safety reasons. “The decision to move 90 people out of Pavilion Court in Marine Terrace last night, follows safety inspectors’ concerns that the intensity of the basement fire at the hotel early on Saturday weakened the building’s structure.” “Those unable to stay with family or friends were moved to the Three Hills Sports Park before being found temporary accommodation. Most read in The Sun “These residents will be contacted by the our housing officers on Monday.“ At the height of the incident, 26 fire engines raced to the scene at around 1am on Saturday where crews wearing breathing apparatus battled the flames. Shocking photos show flames bursting from the underground level of the hotel as black smoke billowed into the air. The hotel overlooks Folkestone’s harbour and has 550 rooms, according to the Britannia Hotels website. A number of guests were assessed by paramedics at the scene with one taken to hospital with minor injuries. Levi Shaw, 19, told The Sun he was staying on the 10th floor of the hotel with his girlfriend and two friends at the time of the blaze, calling it an “absolutely terrifying experience”. Emergency services including 26 fire engines descended on the site in the early hours of Saturday morning Credit: Cover Images Local residents have now been evacuated from their homes after the building was deemed structurally unsafe Credit: Cover Images “We had a lovely day and then when we got to settling down at 1am, we were awakened by the fire alarm and red flashing lights.” The teen said they were “rushed out of bed” and evacuated away from the smoke. He said: “We sat down on the wall near the fountains and every so often all we heard as a bang, then saw a huge orange flames where I’m guessing multiple cars set alight.” “The police, fire and hotel staff were all amazing and got everyone out as quick as possible”. Kent Police released a statement on Saturday evening saying they were treating the blaze as “suspicious” with detectives seeking witnesses and dashcam footage. “Enquiries into the circumstances are underway and officers now believe the fire may have been caused deliberately,” the force said. Meanwhile, Kent Fire and Rescue service said this morning that “operations are now complete” but road closures remain in place. A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels Group said on Saturday: “We can confirm there has been an incident at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone and we are taking immediate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all guests and team members. “Emergency services are on site and we are fully co-operating with the authorities to support those affected and assist with the ongoing response.”