Police treating Folkestone hotel fire as suspicious
One person was taken to hospital and around 280 guests evacuated early this morning
Detectives have revealed they are treating a major fire at a hotel in Folkestone as suspicious.
One person was taken to hospital and around 280 evacuated from the Ground Burstin Hotel, which is by the harbour, early this morning (Saturday 19th September 2026).
A Kent Police spokesperson said:
"Kent Police was called at around 1.20am on Saturday 19 September 2026 to a report of a fire at a hotel in Marine Parade, Folkestone.
"Officers are in attendance to assist with traffic flow while crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service work to fully extinguish the fire.
"Enquiries into the circumstances are underway and officers now believe the fire may have been caused deliberately.
"Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or might have relevant CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, particularly from 10pm on Friday 18 September to 12.30am on Saturday 19 September, is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/155727/26."
South East Coast Ambulance Service told us:
"We were called just after 1.30 this morning following reports of a fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone.
"We sent a number of resources to the scene including our specialist Hazardous Area Response Team.
"We assessed a number of guests and took one person to the William Harvey Hospital with minor injuries."
Folkestone and Hythe District Council posted on X saying: “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 spokesperson for Britannia Hotels Group 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.”