Two people have been arrested in connection with a large fire at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, Kent Police have confirmed. The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Saturday, September 19, led to the evacuation of around 280 people from the hotel and nearby residents as a precaution.
Arrests Made Following Suspicious Fire
A 38-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, both from the local area, were arrested on Sunday, September 20, in connection with the incident. They have since been released while enquiries continue. The fire is being treated as suspicious, and an investigation is underway to determine its cause.
Kent Police were called to the scene on Marine Parade at approximately 1.20am on Saturday. Kent Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze, deploying 26 fire engines and specialist units at the height of the incident. Crews wearing breathing apparatus worked to bring the fire under control. No fire-related injuries have been reported.
Evacuations and Structural Concerns
Around 280 people were evacuated from the hotel. Nearby Pavilion Court on Marine Terrace was also evacuated due to structural concerns, and the council is continuing to support those residents.
The fire has raised questions about the safety of the building, which is a prominent landmark on the Folkestone seafront. The investigation is focused on establishing the cause of the fire and whether any criminal activity was involved.
Appeal for Information
Kent Police are appealing for information and are particularly interested in CCTV or dashcam footage from the area between 10pm on Friday, September 18, and 12.30am on Saturday, September 19. Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 652006, quoting reference 46/155727/26.
Enquiries remain ongoing, and police have not ruled out further arrests as the investigation continues.
