About 280 people evacuated from Folkestone's Grand Burstin Hotel after fire

About 280 people have been evacuated from a seaside hotel after a fire broke out overnight.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said 26 fire engines were sent to the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone at about 01:05 BST. In an update at 08:30, it said 10 fire engines remained at the scene "dampening down any remaining hotspots".

A fire service spokesperson told the BBC there were "concerns about the structure of the building" following the blaze, which is believed to have started in the basement.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council has set up a welfare centre at the Three Hills Sports Park and nearby residents have been advised to avoid the area of the fire and close windows and doors.

"We are supporting all emergency services involved in the response and their efforts to get people to safety", said the council.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it assessed a number of people at the scene and one person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A spokesperson for Britannia Hotels Group, which runs the Grand Burstin, said it was "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", it added.

Ross Honeycomb, 39, was staying at the hotel with his family and told the BBC they were woken by fire alarms at about 01:00.

He said: "I thought I was dreaming, it was horrifying.

"We looked out and there was smoke billowing from the underground car park. Later we started hearing explosions.

"It has just been madness. I have been out barefoot all night."

Bill Owen, who checked in on Saturday afternoon, said when he walked past the car park the "heat coming out of it was incredible".

He added: "We could see thick black smoke. You could taste it."

A Kent Police spokesperson said officers were called to the hotel at about 01:20 to "assist traffic flow" while firefighters tackled the blaze.

Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran paid tribute to emergency services on X, saying firefighters responded "rapidly, professionally and with saving lives at the forefront of their minds".

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