Hundreds of people have been evacuated after a serious fire erupted at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel, a seafront property that was previously used to accommodate migrants.
Emergency crews were called to the hotel at about 2am today, with roughly 280 guests brought to safety while firefighters tackled the blaze.
The fire is believed to have begun in the basement of the landmark hotel, which is owned by Britannia Hotels and sits along the town’s waterfront.
Investigators have not yet established how the fire started, although no injuries have been reported.
A substantial emergency operation was launched, initially involving 26 fire engines as well as an aerial height vehicle.
Ten fire engines are still at the scene, where crews wearing breathing apparatus continue efforts to bring the Folkestone hotel fire under control.
Residents have been advised to keep away from the area around the hotel and to shut their windows and doors.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council has set up a welfare centre at Three Hills Sports Park to support those displaced by the incident.
A guest on the first floor said the alarm woke them suddenly, recalling: ‘We just had to jump up, get ready and dash out.’
Guests were led out of the Grand Burstin Hotel after the fire broke out at around 2am, as firefighters worked to contain the flames.
It is believed the fire started in the basement of the Britannia Hotels-owned landmark located on the town’s seafront. The cause is not yet known
‘We were sat outside for ages, it was freezing cold, then they let us come into The Harbour Inn.’
Ben Cuthbert, 47, who runs the pub near the hotel, said he opened at around 2am after being called and asked to give evacuated guests a place to keep warm.
He said around 200 people had gathered outside in the harbour when he arrived, with people then brought into the pub to stay warm and receive treatment.
‘When we got here at 2 o’clock in the morning, there were people everywhere,’ he said.
‘They just needed a place to stay warm and come in from the cold and be treated.’
Mr Cuthbert said it was ‘quite chaotic at first’ as people were treated for smoke inhalation and various injuries by paramedics throughout the night.
At around 5am, the council arrived and organised a welfare centre for those affected by the fire at Three Hills Sports Park, he added.
Jeff Gardner, 44, who was staying at the hotel as part of an ancestry trip, believed he heard a couple of explosions.
Recalling the grey smoke turning black as he left the building, the Texan added: ‘Some people in pyjamas and one guy just had some sweatpants on.
‘At least I got my clothes. I didn’t get my bag. I don’t have my passport.’
Mr Gardner said he was outside for about four hours before guests were given somewhere to stay.
He later arrived at Three Hills Sports Park, where people had gathered in a hall while the hotel remained evacuated.
The Grand Burstin Hotel was previously used to house around 130 asylum seekers in 2014 to ease overcrowding at a south London hotel.
The former Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins, criticised the decision at the time and wanted reassurance that the move was temporary.
It is believed the fire began in the basement of the Britannia Hotels-owned landmark located on the seafront. The cause is not yet known (Pictured: The Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone)
Pictured: The charred remains of the lower level of the seafront hotel in Folkestone following a fire in the early hours of the morning
Meanwhile, the Home Office said the migrants would be in Folkestone for no more than two weeks.
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At the time, the then council leader David Monk said: ‘We are reassured that the original timescale of the Home Office has been met.’
Mr Collins was told the government would pick up the tab for the decision, adding that locals should not have to take in asylum seekers without consultation or notice.
He claimed the decision had been made to quickly ease overcrowding in Croydon, and the area had only been informed the day before about their arrival.
In 2019, 59 asylum seekers were housed at the hotel again due to an ’emergency measure’.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council said the migrants were housed temporarily under ‘extenuating circumstances’.
The local authority said it was a ‘one-off situation’ and that the beds had been vacated the following night, KentOnline reported.
The Grand Burstin Hotel currently operates as a commercial hotel which is open to the public.
A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘Ten fire engines remain at the scene of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in The Harbour, Folkestone.
‘Crews wearing breathing apparatus have worked hard to bring the fire under control and are now dampening down any remaining hotspots.
‘It’s believed the fire started in the basement of the property, but the cause is not yet known.
‘Around 280 people evacuated the building, and a welfare centre has been organised by Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
‘No fire-related injuries have been reported.
‘Members of KFRS’ Volunteer Response Team are on-hand to offer advice and support, and The Salvation Army is providing welfare to crews.
‘Road closures remain in place while emergency services continue to work at the scene.’
‘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 Kent Police spokesperson said: ‘Kent Police was called at around 1.20am on Saturday September 19 2026 to reports of a fire at a hotel on Marine Parade, Folkestone.
‘Officers remain in attendance to assist traffic flow while our Kent Fire and Rescue Service colleagues work to tackle the fire.’
A Folkestone & Hythe District Council spokesperson said: ‘A fire is currently ongoing at the Folkestone Grand Burstin Hotel.
‘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.
‘Our advice to residents living nearby is to:
- Close all windows and doors
- Avoid the area and do not attempt to approach the hotel
- Follow the instructions of emergency services
- Keep roads clear to allow emergency vehicles to access the area
‘We will provide further updates as information becomes available.’
A Britannia Hotels Group spokesperson said: ‘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 cooperating with the authorities to support those affected and assist with the ongoing response.’