Dozens moved from homes due to safety concerns after Folkestone hotel fire - as police treat blaze as suspicious

Dozens of residents living near a Folkestone hotel hit by a fire have been evacuated due to concerns over the building's safety.

Emergency services were called to the Grand Burstin Hotel, in Marine Parade, just after 1am on Saturday.

Kent Fire Service had 26 engines on the scene at the peak of the incident and believes the blaze - which is being treated as suspicious by police - started in the basement. No injuries have been reported.

Around 280 people were evacuated from the hotel at the time of the fire.

A further 90 were then moved from the nearby Pavilion Court in Marine Terrace on Saturday evening, following safety inspectors' concerns that the intensity of the fire had weakened the building's structure, Folkestone and Hythe District Council said.

The town's housing team is working to arrange alternative housing for affected residents while further assessments are being made.

Susan Priest, chief executive of the local council, 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 Police said on Saturday: "Enquiries into the circumstances are under way and officers now believe the fire may have been caused deliberately."

Officers are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage from the area, particularly from 10pm on Friday to 12.30am on Saturday.

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The 550-room hotel is operated by Britannia Hotels and overlooks the town's harbour.

The blaze was brought under control by 8.30am but nine engines were still damping down at the site on Saturday afternoon, the fire service said.

One fire engine remained at the scene on Sunday morning, and crews were monitoring for remaining hotspots.

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