Folkestone Grand Burstin Hotel Fire Prompts Evacuation of Nearby Homes Over Structural Integrity
Residents living adjacent to Folkestone's Grand Burstin Hotel were ordered to evacuate their homes after a recent fire raised significant concerns about the building's structural stability. Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) responded to the incident on Friday evening, which required six fire engines to bring under control.
Safety Inspection Raises Alarm
Initial assessments by safety inspectors on Saturday morning determined that the hotel's structure may have been compromised. This led to a swift decision to clear properties on Earls Avenue and the east side of The Leas as a precautionary measure. A cordon remains in place around the affected area.
KFRS confirmed that
The blaze, which originated on the sixth floor of the hotel, was extinguished by approximately 22:30 BST on Friday. No injuries were reported as a direct result of the fire. However, the subsequent structural integrity concerns have necessitated a temporary relocation for an unspecified number of residents.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council is coordinating support for those affected by the evacuations, though specific details regarding accommodation provisions have not been publicly disclosed. Authorities have yet to provide a timeline for residents' return, pending further structural evaluations of the Grand Burstin Hotel.
